“The trail is a loop,” he says. “We’ll end up back at the same spot.”
“Oh.” I purse my lips. “Okay.”
This is definitely a different way. The way we came was all forest but this way opens up into a snow-covered field, with long golden grasses and shrubs poking out. It would be prettier in the sun, but the sky has completely clouded over. I eye it uneasily as we cross over a small wooden foot bridge, presumably across the stream that leads to the waterfall. It’s really cute and I pause to take a couple more pics.
I’m breathing hard and my legs are starting to feel like frozen rubber when Marek pauses and pulls out his phone.
“What?” I pant, stopping next to him.
“Mmm… we should be back at the parking lot by now.”
I blink a few times. “We’re lost?” I try to ignore the fluttery feeling in my stomach and the heart palpitations.
“No, no.” He waves a hand, looking at his maps app. “We can’t get lost.”
“I knew we were coming the wrong way.”
He gives me a look of frustration.
“Sorry.” I make a face and peer over his arm at his phone. “Where are we?”
“Too far north. Shit.”
I give up. I sit down in the snow. Thankfully I’m wearing my new snow pants. “I’m too tired,” I say. “Go on without me.”
He snorts. “Sure.”
“Really. I’ll just wait here for the rescue helicopter to lift me out.”
Then Marek joins me in the snow. He opens the backpack and pulls out a bottle of water. “Water? Or coffee?”
“You have coffee in there?” I lean over eagerly.
He pulls out a thermal flask and unscrews the lid so I can drink from the wide mouth. He also has protein bars that he shares with me.
“We’ll just take a break,” he says. “You’ll get your strength back.”
“I don’t know. I feel like these boots weigh a hundred pounds each.”
“Are you trying to get me to carry you?”
I flutter my eyelashes at him. “You’re so smart.”
He laughs.
“I’m kidding. I mean, you are smart. But I don’t expect you to carry me.” I take a bite of oatmeal, almonds, and dark chocolate. “This is good.”
“Drink some water, too.”
“The sun is going down.”
He looks west. “Yeah.”
A shiver runs down my spine. “Can we find our way back in the dark?”
“It won’t get dark for a while. We’re good.”
“I’m glad you’re so positive.” I drink some water as my mouth has gone dry.
