Character Study III

It was Saturday morning and my homework for the weekend was to find unique rocks and write a report about them for my Geology class. It was my first big project and I had to do a really good job, so that I could start the class off with a good grade. For this assignment, I decided to take my boyfriend on a hike with me to hunt for the unique rocks as he had taken Geology before and loves rocks. A backpack was all that I would be leaving with and my hiking partner, which was my boyfriend, Mathew. In our backpack we had two sandwiches, a few snacks, three water bottles, and a sweater for each of us. We were going to hike Point Sal, which was one of the hikes we had never done yet. We hugged our roommates, told them we would see them later and got into the car. Extremely excited, we had the music playing loud and we were laughing and joking. We love being outdoors and love exercising, so this was going to be a fun, relaxing day that we would remember forever. After reaching our destination, we began the hike, slowly realizing it was going to be a lot of work. The climb started to get steeper and the path narrower, but we were still enjoying our hike. We kept our eyes out for any type of rock that seemed to be a good candidate. My boyfriend found some rocks, but would have to climb to find them. So of course he began climbing the steep ledge of rocks. I told him multiple times get down, stop climbing the rocks, and your going to hurt yourself. I told him that we would find other unique rocks somewhere else, but he did not listen. Sure enough he fell off of the steep ledge and down the hill, off the trail mind you. My only option now was to go after him, but I was extremely nervous and did not want to leave the trail as we decided not to bring phones on this hike. Anxiety was kicking in, but I knew I couldn't leave him and I must help him. So I began down the hill, trying to listen for his voice or moans as I was positive that he had hurt himself and hoped not to severely. I heard his moan and followed his voice. I had finally found him and felt so relieved; he was hurt and most likely had a broken leg, but he was alive and conscious and I was very happy. But I soon realized that the trail was no where to be seen and I could not remember the direction I had came in. Once I saw my boyfriend that's all that I was thinking about. So now I had to encounter another challenge, finding our way back to the trail and carrying my boyfriend who was too hurt to walk. Not only was I lost and had to carry my injured boyfriend, but I also needed to find my rocks and do my five page report that was going to take a long time. Even though I wanted to find my rocks and get back home, I knew I couldn't leave him and I would help him and myself to get home. We decide to eat and then take off to find the trail. Our lunch was very good and got our mind off of the idea that we were lost and his leg was broken. After resting and eating, we get up and I begin walking as it is getting late and the sun is starting to set. I am getting very nervous as we have only snacks and one water left, not enough to make it through the night or the next day. I begin to panic, but remember that calmness will keep me encouraged and motivated to find a way out. I begin to hear noises, look around and see a girl in the distance. I call for her. Little do I know, she is a classmate of mine. I had known her from high school and was so relieved to see her. I tell her my story and she kindly helps me to find a way out as she had wondered off the trail and gotten lost herself. Ashlyn, my friend, helps me carry my injured boyfriend, which takes a lot of strain off of me and we keep walking to find the trail. After two long and terrible hours we finally reach the trail. Luckily Ashlyn had her phone with her and started to retrieve service once we got back to the trail. She called 911 and we got helicoptered out of Point Sal. If we had not come across Ashlyn, I may have lost hope and not continued on, which would have resulted in worsening my boyfriends already bad wounds. I knew that I wasn't going to get to finish my report, but when we got lost I had found my unique rocks and was ready to write my paper. I would tell my teacher the story the next day and hope for her forgiveness. We were so thankful to come across Ashlyn and relieved to be in a safe place once again, hugging our roommates and telling them of our crazy adventure.