“There’s something wrong in the woods!” I nervously say. “Look at all the smoke rising up over there.” I point to where I see the smoke, in the trees a mile away, as my friends and I rest on a fallen tree, parched to a crisp by the dry, scorching heat.
            “Stop worrying Eric, it’ just someone cooking food.” says Jason, one of my two friends accompanying me on this trip. He was right, my anxiety has always been one of my weak points because I worry way too much. But the worst part about it is that I know nothing’s going to happen, but I still ask the question, “what if?” I had wished I was as brave as Jason and Mike and for this problem to go away, but now it’s only getting worse.
            After a quick rest and a drink of water we continue to hike through the forest. My backpack is so stuffed full of water that it feels like I’m carrying a sack-load of bricks. We have to carry so much because the weather is usually dry and hot for early June which makes dehydration one of our silent enemies. Once you consider it, our hike is actually pretty dangerous considering we are in the middle of a seemingly never ending forest, days from any form of civilization. If any of us got heatstroke or any other illness, who knows what would happen.
            I follow any form of trail I can make out lead my friends through the forest. But some places are completely overgrown by plants due to the lack of hikers trekking this difficult five day trail. As we walk, I notice the forest is very calm and relaxing. Apart from the twigs crunching under our boots with every step, only the sounds of trees rustling in the wind, the birds joyously singing in the trees and the footsteps of the occasional critter spying on us exist. The smell of the decomposing forest fills my nostrils. It’s a very unique aroma, nothing repugnant and disgusting like rotting fruits and vegetables, with a whiff of pine leaves adding a touch of sweetness. The sun is low and its rays are split as they spray into the forest and provide us with light. I check the time and realize that it’s getting late. In the forest, the sun can go down in a flash and leave you without a shelter in the dark.