Chapter 8

 

Slogging through the wet forest was harder than Slade had anticipated. His heavy pack was slowing him down considerably and he was now well into his 4^th hour of a trip he'd estimated would take 2 at most. It wasn't yet noon, so he wasn't worried about losing light. It was just that he was getting so tired, and hungry. Not to mention that he wanted to get to Mercy Field to secure his shelter.

 

Slade let out a gusty sigh as he spotted a large rock, perfect for resting on. He dropped onto it, with his bag still on his back. He reached into one of his camera pouches and pulled out some of the Marshmallow Tammy's he'd packed. The sugary treat was sweet, and delicious. It melted on his tongue, and he savored it as long as he could.

 

The sound of a twig snapping caused Slade to look up, tilting his head curiously he stared.

 

“Hunh. That's a big cat.” He said to no one in particular. It was then that he noticed the lynx's behavior.

 

It was stalking towards him, heavy footed, it's element of stealth gone. Slade's eyes widened as he realized what was about to happen. He reached back for his bear spray, but it was under the pack and he couldn't get to it! Adrenaline rushed through his veins and he struggled harder to get it. Even with the adrenaline pumping he couldn't get to it fast enough. The lynx's head went down, the rest of it's body dipping low. It was mere seconds from pouncing.

 

Slade reached forward, changing tactics, grabbing his knife from its pouch as the cat leapt. It's powerfully muscled body hit hard, and the knife went deep. Hot, wet blood sprayed his face as the cat viciously flailed, trying to claw at him, trying to sink its teeth in. Slade pulled the knife back, and slammed it in again, and again, until the fierce, sleek cat was silent, and lay dead in his lap.

 

Scrambling backwards, away from the body, Slade gasped like he was drowning. It sure felt like he was. One thing after another, after another. He wiped frantically at the blood on his face, wanting it gone. The spray of blood had reminded him of Jacob, and he couldn't get the image out of his mind.

 

He slid the knife back into the holster, and forced himself to calm down. Taking deep, cleansing breaths, he slowed his heart rate. Think of rainbows, and puppies, he thought, trying for levity. He let out another panic laced laugh, and his shoulders shook, perilously close to shock.

 

Slade jumped up, and did some jumping jacks. He'd read somewhere once that it could help if you felt you were going into shock. He wasn't sure if it was true or not, all he knew was he needed to do something to get himself together. Something fast. It worked, snapping him out of his horror, and reminding him to go on.

 

The rest of the hike was uneventful, and a half hour later Slade had found his way to the campground. As he walked onto the grounds, he spotted the pool of water, Mercy Pond. He dropped his pack, and his vest next to the swimming hole, and plunged his hands into the cool water. He scrubbed the blood from his hands and arms, and then went to work on his neck and chest.

 

The cold water shocked him, but he scrubbed nonetheless, determined to rid himself of the physical reminder of his first kill. After a few more moments of scrubbing, he sat back on his heels, and looked around. I guess this is my temporary home now. Slade had lost his friend, lost his house, and killed his first attacking animal in the span of 24 hours. As he stared at the campground hopelessly he wondered if he was doomed to fail? Was it worth it? Could he even do this?

 

When Slade reached down for more water to clean his face, he caught sight of his reflection. Gone was the face he saw everyday in the mirror, the boy who innocently thought the world would come back in a few weeks. Replacing it was a hardened, blood soaked man. The man who stared back at him looked grim and determined. He was going to fight, to live. He wasn't going to lie down and die. If Slade had needed a sign that he should go on, there was no better one than this. He would survive. He had to.

 

*****

 

Watch for Slade: A Survival Memoir, coming to a bookstore near you!