The Last Hike

Evan had always liked hiking. It was a way to challenge himself physically and mentally, to explore new places and learn new things, and to enjoy the beauty and solitude of nature. He was not a fan of crowds or noise, so he preferred to hike alone or with one trusted companion. He also liked to plan his hikes in advance, researching the best routes, weather conditions, and potential hazards. He always carried a map, a compass, a GPS device, and a survival kit with him. He was confident in his skills and abilities, and he never took unnecessary risks.

That's why he was surprised when he realized he was lost. He had followed the trail markers carefully, but somehow he had ended up in a dense forest with no sign of civilization. He checked his GPS device, but it showed no signal. He looked at his map, but it did not match the terrain. He tried to retrace his steps, but he could not find the trail. He felt a surge of frustration and confusion. How could this happen? He had done everything right. Where did he go wrong?

He decided to calm down and think logically. He knew that panicking would only make things worse. He looked at his watch. It was 4 pm. He had about two hours of daylight left. He needed to find a way out of the woods before it got dark. He remembered the basic rules of survival: stay put, stay warm, stay hydrated, stay visible. He scanned his surroundings for a suitable spot to set up a camp. He saw a clearing with a large rock that could provide some shelter and a fire pit. He headed towards it.

He reached the clearing and dropped his backpack. He took out his survival kit and started to gather some dry wood and tinder for a fire. He also collected some pine needles and berries for tea and food. He arranged the wood in the fire pit and used his lighter to ignite it. He added some green branches to create some smoke signals. He hoped that someone would see them and come to his rescue.

He boiled some water in his metal cup and added the pine needles and berries. He drank the tea slowly, savoring its warmth and flavor. He felt a bit better. He wrapped himself in his emergency blanket and leaned against the rock. He looked at the sky, which was turning orange and purple. He wondered if anyone was looking for him.

He thought about his family and friends. They knew he was hiking today, but they did not know exactly where he was going. He had not told them his itinerary, because he did not want them to worry or interfere with his plans. He liked to be independent and self-reliant. He did not need anyone's approval or advice.

But now he wished he had been more open and communicative. Maybe they could have helped him avoid this situation or find him sooner. Maybe they were worried sick about him or angry at him for being so secretive and stubborn. Maybe they did not care at all.

He felt a pang of loneliness and regret. He realized that he had isolated himself from others too much. He had focused on his own goals and interests, but he had neglected his relationships and emotions. He had been too proud and arrogant to admit that he needed others sometimes.

He decided to change his attitude and behavior if he ever got out of this mess alive. He decided to be more humble and grateful for what he had. He decided to be more expressive and supportive of those he cared about. He decided to be more open-minded and flexible with his plans.

He closed his eyes and prayed for a miracle.