He recalls the only forays into nature, which consisted of weekend dips in the warm water of a quiet lake. Besides, going with his cousins on a few occasions on the semi-arid dirt roads around the small town on the edge of a large lake, where he lived until he became a teenager.
Ten years later, he went from villager to urbanite in a big city for study purposes until he graduated and got a good job.
He tried to keep in touch with nature by going weekly to the mountain crowned by several peaks, which was the vegetal lung of the city and also a natural barrier against the sea.
He used to go with John, a colleague from work, to the mountain's forest park on weekends. Although, the steep slope of the concrete paved road offered him a wooded atmosphere. It was still far from a real encounter with nature.
It didn't take long for him to fixate on going beyond recreation stations. Reaching one of the peaks and then going down to the sea for a dip, just as he did as a teenager, excited him greatly.
He soon searched the web for campers' experiences in the mountains. And discussed with John the details of their first joint hiking activity.
The plan was simple. Making way through the mountain vegetation in search of the disused path where people once walked to get to the coast.
A fun journey, which according to the hikers' logs: does not take more than a day. Including a rest at the top, halfway.
They would leave at dawn on Saturday along the same route they used to travel until they reached the last forest post set up for recreation. Right there, the adventure would begin.
John had always lived in the city. So, he had no real hiking experience either.
However, he thought that the recommendations seen on the web would be more than enough for him.
Besides, he was counting on physical conditioning for a couple of days a week.
So, he said to himself, "Piece of cake!
They set off at 05:00 am with their heavy backpacks on their backs.
The sleeping bag and camping tent added the most weight to Steve's pack.
After 3:00 pm, light rain fell. The smell of wet earth mixed with the aromas of the lush vegetation was new to John.
They were soaked, despite the thick overcoats. They had thought about this situation. So, they decided to camp there and apply one of the hiker's techniques: making a campfire. The peak could wait.
At first glance, they thought they would conquer the mountain peak in the scheduled time. But the lesson on the ground taught not to underestimate distances based on perception or overestimate their own abilities.
Meanwhile, Steve persistently rubbed two pieces of wood he found in the area. John smiled at the unsuccessful attempt to make a fire and pulled a butane lighter from his backpack.
Both men stationed in front of the lighter pulled out their respective canned tuna and vegetables.
Steve noticed a large deer watching them about twenty yards away. He thought, "We're trespassers here. I hope he's a good host."
He looked into John's eyes. At last, he felt he was among wildlife. Although he also knew at once: that nearby there would be more than one animal to watch out for.
He pulled out the canteen, urging Steve to drink enough water. Both should soak their urine on the edges of where they were to tell the animals of their presence.
John alerted Steve to the report of a mountain lion attack on a mountaineer a couple of weeks ago.
So they nervously prowled the area, finding large cat tracks.
They both began to question the idea of spending the night in the wilderness. Now, it didn't seem so good to them.
Steve told John about the need to start a fire with dry logs. So before nightfall, they gathered the driest bunches possible despite the rain.
As they lit the fire, it suddenly reached a considerable height, accompanied by the distinctive smell of sprayed fuel; They heard branches snapping and an intimidating hoarse roar.
They looked in the direction of the noise, and there it was: the mountain lion.
It had probably been stalking them from the leafy tree. But the beast was not counting on the fire.
The three made visual contact. And Steve raised a flaming branch aimed at the feline.
The cougar disappeared towards the peak in three leaps through the vegetation.
John suggested changing plans and returning at once.
A sensible thing that Steve nodded in agreement. As he hurriedly gathered the few implements, especially the empty tuna cans.
On the way down, Steve thought how lucky they were. Fighting the mountain lion was not in the plans.
He was shocked to share the fear with the splendid creature that denoted the feline gaze.
So he wondered silently, who was wilder?
The end
An original short story by @janaveda
Thanks for reading me. I hope this short story is to your liking. I would very much like to read your comments in this regard to enrich myself with your criticism.
