“I’ll just call the front desk to have somebody fetch me.” I pulled out my phone to make the call, but once again, the screen mocked me with zero bars.
“Yeah, service is sketchy down here,” said Jenn. “It comes and it goes. Like Californians.”
“Oh, you have a lot of California visitors that come and go?”
“I meant the sketchy part.”
“Oh.”
It was like I was in one of those indie horror films where everyone in the quirky little town has a dark secret, and then, the unsuspecting Asian-American girl from Los Angeles gets sacrificed by a cult.
My shoulders slumped, and my boots sank into what I desperately prayed was just mud. “Well, at least my day can’t get any worse.”
“You’d be surprised,” said Jenn.
“Maybe I should have just taken the ride with Noah,” I grumbled.
“Wait, Noah?” Jenn pushed off from her pitchfork. “Tall guy? Messy hair, never shaves? Impossibly blue eyes, but kind of full of himself?”
“Yes, that’s the one.” I crossed my arms, ignoring the little flutter in my stomach at the mention of those impossibly blue eyes. “Plus, he had some sort of wolf-dog with him.”
“And Noah was going to giveyoua ride from the airport?”
“He was going to … but then he abandoned me. Because he hates me.”
Jenn chuckled, shaking her head. “His customer service skills are admittedly lacking.”
“Lacking? Try nonexistent.”
Jenn paused, with a twinkle in her eye. “I can call him if you want. Havehimdrive you to the lobby?”
“No.” I stopped her short. “I’d rather walk.” Staring up the road, I noticed the temperature dropped when the sun dipped under the mountain tops, making my pink Lululemon pullover feel like tissue paper.
“Well, you better get moving then,” said Jenn, glancing at the darkening sky. “You don’t really want to be out here by yourself after dark.”
“Yeah, Noah told me. Mountain lions.” The memory brought a fresh wave of irritation. If he hadn’t abandoned me, I wouldn’t be facing this death march through predator-infested woods.
“Well, yeah, those, sure. But you also have to watch out for the coyotes. Bobcats, bears, rattlesnakes.”
“Rattlesnakes?”
“Oh, and moose.”
“You really have moose?” Despite my parents’ warnings, I’d half-convinced myself the moose thing was an elaborate prank played on tourists.
“All over the place.”
“What is this, Jurassic Park?” I glanced nervously at thesurrounding forest, now transforming into a labyrinth of danger-filled shadows.
“Every once in a while, we even get a rabid beaver.” Jenn seemed to be enjoying herself.
“I get the picture, thanks.” The only predators I ever had to worry about in Los Angeles were bartenders serving overpriced cocktails and guys in clubs claiming to be lingerie photographers. At leasttheydidn’t come with fangs.
“How do I get up to the resort?” I asked.
Jenn pointed to the trail leading up the mountain. “Just follow the path. You can’t miss it.” Jenn was severely underestimating my ability to get lost. “I would offer to help you with your bag, but, well, you know.” She held up her muck-covered gloves.
“I think I’m good.” I wasn’t good. I was about to hike through moose-infested wilderness, hauling designer luggage with no cell service.
