ONE
Quinn
“Why?”I wheeze as I trudge up the hill.“Why did I think this would be fun?”
I’m talking to myself.I haven’t seen another person on this trail since I parked my rental car in the parking lot at the bottom of this god-forsaken hiking trail.
The app said it was easy, beginner-friendly.
The app freaking lied.
Or that’s what I’m choosing to believe anyway.I suppose there is a chance that I’m just so out of shape that even easy and beginner-friendly activities are too advanced for me.
This trip was my graduation gift to myself.I worked my butt off all through college so I could graduate with honors and with as few student loans as possible.I hoped that graduating at the top of my class would make my parents proud, but they didn’t even notice.I’m pretty sure that they didn’t even see me walk across the stage.I couldn’t find them after the ceremony, and when I called, they said they’d just left, but I swear they forgot about my big day and were at work the whole time.
It’s hard not to be upset about that.
I should be used to their treatment by now.It’s been like this my entire life.
This trip was supposed to be my opportunity to find and figure out my next moves.The plan was always to get my degree, then work with my parents, who own and operate a manufacturing company.I’ve always found the work boring, but I know it’s expected of me to join them.I always hoped that once we worked together, they would notice me a bit more.
The problem is that every time I think about working there, I’m filled with nothing but dread and anxiety.I don’t want to spend my life counting inventory, attending boring meetings, and working on spreadsheets.
I also know that deep down, working with my parents won’t change anything.The business is their real baby.I’m just another employee.They’ve already hurt and let me down so much in my life, and I’m worried that if I work there, I’ll be setting myself up for a lifetime of the same pain.
What are my other options, though?
I have a business degree, so I could probably find another company to work for.Maybe I could even move to a new state, a new city.But I don’t know where to start, and leaping without a safety net is terrifying.I like to plan, to weigh all of my options.I thought taking a trip would help me clear my head and decide on what to do, but I’m still just as lost and directionless.
The trail opens up ahead of me into a clearing, and I pant as I make my way over to a fallen tree and plop down.
“I need to do more cardio,” I gasp.
Twisting off the cap to my water bottle, I guzzle half the contents in one big gulp.
I look around and start to relax.This small town is beautiful, and the views from up here are breathtaking.For a few moments, I forget about my uncertain future and simply admire the beauty of nature and my surroundings.It’s so quiet and peaceful.
I take a deep breath, smiling as I let it out slowly.The breeze picks up, and I close my eyes as the wind blows my hair away from my face.
This is what I needed—time to myself.Maybe if I stop stressing about all this, the answer will come to me.
I take another deep breath, vowing to spend the next few days relaxing and enjoying my hard-earned vacation.
A loud bang startles me, and I jump.My eyes fly open, seeking the danger, and I scream as pain tears through my chest.My brain scrambles to locate the threat, to figure out what happened, as agony spreads through my body.
I jerk to my feet, and dark spots form in front of my eyes.Dizziness slams into me, and my knees buckle.I collapse onto the soft grass and frown when I see spots of red around me.
“Is that… blood?”I whisper, my eyelids growing heavy.
My hand goes to my chest.I stare at it blankly when I pull it away and see blood covering my fingers and palm.
“What happened?”I mumble.
My whole body feels cold as I roll to my side.I struggle to keep my eyes open, but it’s getting harder and harder.
I hear footsteps headed my way, and I lick my dry lips and try to call out for help, but my voice is barely above a whisper.
I need to get their attention.I need help.
