“Much of this forest isveryold. Even older than our parents. And they’re pretty old,” I wink at their laughs. “Especially the huge Sitka spruce trees. Did you know some of them are overthreehundred years old?”
The kids’ mouths open wide with awe, though they probably have no real concept of how old that really is.
“Raise your hand if you’ve heard of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Have you learned about that in class yet?”
Some of the kids raise their hands. “Who can tell me?”
“They explored the country?”
“Yes! They were quite famous explorers. They traveled across theentirecountry, from the East Coast to the West Coast.” I pat one of the Sitka trees. “Some of these trees were here when they came to this area all the way back in 1801! That was alongtime ago. Imagine it. I could be touching the very tree Lewis and Clark touched. I don’t know about you, but I think that’s really cool.”
I keep the history lesson short so they don’t grow bored after talking about how the local indigenous tribes used these trails when the ocean was too dangerous to canoe in during the winter months.
Next, we stop by a tree that was cut down to keep the trail safe. I teach them how to count the rings in its stump to tell its age.
Harper and I then take the kids over to Indian Creek to look for cool rocks, which will be part of the art project we have planned when we wrap up the hike.
“All right, everyone, gather together,” Harper says once we reach the creek, pulling out her clipboard as I count heads.
My heart stops and my stomach drops when I instantly recognize that a kid is missing.
“Shi–shoot.” I run in a circular perimeter, looking for the missing child, but I can’t find him. “Who’s missing, Harp? I know what he looks like, but I can’t remember his name.”
She looks at the kids and then nods, knowing who I’m talking about, her eyes full of worry. “Josh Davies. Please find him.”
“I will. Keep the kids together.”
“I’ll take the kids to the picnic benches to wait for you. The art stuff is already set up, so I’ll keep them busy doing that. While they’re distracted, I’ll call the park rangers.”
I nod. “Good. I’ll stay in touch.”
My gut twists painfully as I remove my cap and wipe the sweat from my brow. I need to backtrack. Dammit! I didn’t even notice a kid had slipped past us. We had that lecture about staying together, and what did one of them do? They left. Horrific visions hit me: that he’s been mauled by a black bear, or fallen to his death from an overlook.
God, I’m so fired.But I can’t worry about that now. The kid is the priority, and making sure he’s safe.
I check deeper into the woods now and again, making sure I don’t miss him. Ugh, they’re supposed to stay on the trail if they get lost! I learned in college that there are kids who don’t process information the same and are easily distracted.
I cup my hands around my mouth and call out. “Josh! Josh Davies! Where are you?”
I’m met with nothing but silence. The woods are so dense that not much noise penetrates. In fact, I can barely hear the ocean in the distance.
God, I’m worried sick. I pull out my phone and quickly call Mike, needing someone to talk to as a sense of defeat washes over me. He’s always calm and level-headed, and he’s exactly who I need right now.
“Hey,” he says when he answers.
“Hey, so, yeah… I lost a kid… Already, Mike. My first class with only kids, and I’ve already lost one. He walked off, and I didn’t even notice.” Admitting my failure makes my stomach twist, and I hold my breath, waiting to see how Mike will react.
“Damn, Den. And you haven’t found him yet?”
“No. Shit, what if something happened to him?”
“If anyone can find him, you can. Do you want me to call the park ranger?”
“Harper, the girl I’m working with, is already calling them. Thanks, though.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“I don’t think so. I just…”
