CHAPTER 9
HELP!
Marlon and Nadia kept moving until they’d put some safe distance between themselves and the bears. Only then did they stop to check the map.
“Let’s keep heading north,” Nadia said, studying the route. “There’s a trail shelter that way.”
Marlon nodded in agreement, and the kids and dog set off. Eventually they made their way back to the main trail. It had taken much longer than expected, but they’d avoided any more wild animal encounters.
“I can’t wait until we get to the shelter,” Nadia said as they walked side by side. “I love the outdoors, but this is too much for even me. What’s the first thing you’re going to do after we get back to our parents?”
“Take a long shower,” Marlon said with a laugh. “Then eat some pancakes. Trail mix is fine and all, but I need some actual food.”
“Same here,” Nadia said as Colt began to bark. “I think Colt wants some real food too.”
Marlon and Nadia laughed as they continued toward the shelter.
“Thanks again for helping me survive this,” said Marlon. “I would have been lost out here without you.”
“You helped too,” Nadia said. “I wouldn’t have wanted to spend the night out here alone either.”
“You wouldn’t have had to if it wasn’t for me,” Marlon reminded her.
Nadia smiled. “That might be true. But think how much you learned,” she told him. “You managed to set up and break down a tent. And you had a working water filter.”
“I guess you’re right,” Marlon said. “Parts of it were even kind of fun.”
“It’s OK to have fun in the great outdoors,” Nadia agreed. “You just need to be aware and prepared too.”
After a few miles, they passed marker fifty-four. “Almost there!” said Nadia, taking the lead.
“That’s great, I can’t wait to—” Marlon’s voice suddenly cut off. He and Colt both yelped as they fell.
“Marlon?” Nadia said, turning around.
Where Marlon and Colt had been moments before was a hole about three feet wide. It was hidden from sight by the taller grass along the trail.
“Down here! We’re down here!” Marlon yelled. Colt barked and yelped.
Nadia stared down into the hole. From up above, it seemed extremely deep. She could just barely make out Marlon and the dog at the bottom of it.
“Are you OK?” Nadia called.
“I don’t know,” Marlon called up to her. “My ankle hurts a little. I broke Colt’s fall, so he’s OK.”
“Can you climb out?” asked Nadia.
Marlon stood up slowly. His ankle was throbbing, and the hole was damp and muddy. He tried to get a grip on the thin roots along the wall, but it was too slippery. Every step he took sent him sliding back to the bottom.
“I can’t climb up. It’s too slick,” he called up. “Do you have any rope in your backpack?”
“Hold on!” Nadia said.
She took off her backpack and pulled some rope from one of the compartments. She tossed one end down the hole, but it was too short.
“This isn’t going to work,” Nadia said, frustrated. “Listen, the shelter isn’t that far away. I’m going to get you some help. Hold on. I promise I’ll be back!”
“Be careful!” Marlon yelled.
Nadia took off running in the direction of the shelter. As she ran along the grassy trail, she kept an eye out for any other holes. She didn’t want to end up like Marlon.
Suddenly, over the hill she spotted a small wooden cabin with windows and an overhanging roof. The shelter!
Nadia ran even faster to get to it. Within moments, she was at the front door and quickly opened it.
A ranger looked up from her desk as Nadia burst in. “Are you OK?” the ranger asked. “What’s wrong?”
Nadia panted for breath. “My friend and I got lost yesterday,” she said. “We were on our way here when he and our dog fell into a big hole! I think he hurt his ankle really badly!”
The ranger shook her head. “Those old trap holes are everywhere. Hunters used to use them to trap animals. Every time we think we’ve filled them all, another one pops up. Don’t worry, we’ll get your friend and your dog out of there.”
The ranger gathered her crew. They grabbed a rope ladder and a first-aid kit.
“Show us where your friend is,” the ranger said.
“Follow me!” said Nadia.
* * *
Marlon and Colt sat in the hole, waiting. “I hope Nadia’s OK,” Marlon said, looking at Colt. “What if she got trapped too? Then who’s going to rescue us?”
Colt began to lick Marlon’s face. “OK, OK, I’ll stop worrying,” he said.
Suddenly Marlon heard a rustle of footsteps and people talking. Then he heard Nadia’s voice. “Hold on, Marlon!” she called.
A moment later, a rope ladder fell in front of Marlon and Colt.
“Are you OK?” another voice called. Marlon looked up to see a ranger peering down into the hole from above.
“I think so. But I can’t put a lot of pressure of my left ankle,” said Marlon.
“That’s OK, we’ll come down and get you out of there,” the ranger replied.
“I told you I’d be back!” Nadia shouted. “I got us plenty of help!”
The rangers used spikes to secure the rope ladder. Then the lead ranger went down to rescue Marlon and Colt.
“Thank you so much for helping us,” said Marlon when he and Colt were back on the trail.
“That’s what we’re here for,” the ranger replied. “Now tell me, how did you kids end up out here all alone?”
Marlon and Nadia exchanged a look. “It’s a long story,” they said in unison.