by Marian Stack
“Well, I think I’m very capable of handling that small task.” Blair stated, as she slowly and completely stood up for the first time in several hours.
As she remained in her standing spot she mentally performed a full body check regarding her body’s condition.
She was elated knowing she was not badly hurt or broken. She then looked down at her companion and smiled. “Miss Dove, I still can’t believe we are still alive. However I do have to admit our good future rests solely between your piloting skills and pure luck.”
And then as she looked around their tiny piece of paradise, “Turtle will this do?” Blair had quickly discovered a small hole in the embankment and found some drier moss and many small twigs.
“Well done. Miss Foster. Now I think we need to back ourselves as close to the wall of this embankment as possible for shelter and we will set our fire here.” Turtle pointed to the only spot she believed would be the best place for their first nights’ resting place.
Feeling the need to do something to ensure the comfort of her guest Turtle attempted to stand again to look for anything else that would burn, unfortunately though she immediately felt the effects of the head injury and felt quite dizzy and off balance to the point that she reached out for the security of the rock wall and in doing so also received a helping hand from her co-survivor.
“Please Miss Dove, if you require something let me get it for you. We both need you to be healthy.” Blair gently offered Turtle support as she eased her body back down to the ground with the wall of smooth rocks for support.
Both women were intelligent enough to understand their predicament and that relying on one another would be their best chance for survival.
Turtle reached into another of her many small pockets in her vest and pulled out a plastic bag with several tampons secured in the bag.
Blair was shocked. “Oh, my dear God,” She quietly spoke, but then continued, “you poor thing. You have your period?” She questioned with fright.
“What? No…” Turtle laughed out the response. “This is one of the best fire starting tools any back woods person should always carry. Just another one of those many reasons, that it’s better to be a woman.” She laughed again as she removed the manufacturing plastic covering. She then began to pull the dry cotton apart and precisely placed a few slivers of kindling onto the fluffy pile of cotton.
“Blair I need you to very gently blow on the kindling after I strike the match. I don’t think I can bend over that far yet.”
“You got it.” Blair responded and rapidly got into a low crouching position.
And then with one swift movement Turtle struck one of her wooden matches against the piece of flint she had also pulled from another pocket. The spark was noticed by both women, as Blair softly expelled sweet life giving air to the precious spot. A small flame ignited instantly.
“Good Trick.” Blair looked towards her rescuer once again, thankful that she was not alone and thankful she was in the company of such an experienced wilderness guide. “You wouldn’t by any chance have a pot of coffee in one of those pockets and maybe some food?” Blair jokingly asked.
Her joking voice readily changed to fear as she noticed that her companion didn’t look so good. “Turtle, I think it’s time for you to rest. I was only being a smart ass. We will worry about refreshments after you have rested. Please lean back and rest and I will make sure the fire stays lit.”
“It’s my job to make…”
“Yes I know but I’m fine and can tend to the fire. You need to rest.”
Turtle did not have any energy left to argue. Her head was pounding and the small dose of aspirin was not strong enough for this kind of ache. She knew rest was her only healing power. Leaning back onto the wall of soft stone she closed her eyes and began to think of their next move. Her memory of the cave sprang into her head but passed out before she could speak the words out loud.
As the sun rose it did not offer much in the way of relief. The fire allowed for survival and light but did not offer much in the way of heat. Blair had shivered all night and did not get much rest. She had throughout the night frantically worry about her own survival if her guide was unable to get back to full strength. Her guide on the other hand slept all night but displayed signs of pain and discomfort with each body movement.
Alone in her thoughts she remained seated staring at the raging waters. Her thoughts were of the day before and all the woodland debris that filled the rushing river turning it into a death trap and what it must have looked like before all this devastation and then suddenly she realized that the river was not filled with as much stuff.
And then suddenly she noticed a yellow and red coloured bag that suddenly shot out of the water as if shot out of a cannon, pops into view and bobbed in the same spot as if being held by something. Surprised by what she had just observed she stood up and without thinking dove into the water. The undercurrent grabbed her with ferocious strength and pulled her under so quickly that she disappears from view for an instant, and then was pushed back to the surface with the same intensity.
Blair released a scream that startled the birds resting in the trees and instantly awakened Turtle from her unconscious state.
Somewhat dazed and confused but aware enough to remember ‘that scream’ as she now had the sound permanently locked in her memory, immediately noticed her guest in a death defining situation, without thinking stood zipped-up her wet suit, took the few steps to get her closer to the edge and dove into the raging river. As she hit the bottom of the river, the river’s current took pleasure as it jostled her loose body around until she found the bottom and with the use of her powerful legs she was able to push herself to the surface. Breaking the surface she spun around looking for Blair. Thankfully she noticed her clinging onto the large bag that was snagged onto another bobbing tree limb. Turtle manoeuvred her body to ram the tree. She hit her target and Blair grabbed onto her arm. “Are you nuts? You could have gotten killed for real.” Turtle pushed out the word as she gulped in too much river water.
“Apparently… but look what I snagged.” Blair voice was filled with redemption.
As both women bobbed to the rhythm of the tree and the water, Turtle affirms, “Well now that we are back into the water we should try to run with it. Let’s see where it takes us. We will use this bounty as our floatation device. Are you good with that?”
“Do we have another choice?” Blair asked but knew the answer.
“On three…we will let go together, and Miss Foster…never get into this water again without me, deal.”
“Deal, on three, one, two, three, Blair and Turtle released their grip from the tree, held tight to the bag and raced down the river towards the unknown.
As they travelled down the river both women began to notice that the speed of the river had begun to ease, but they both also noticed that the wall of the canyon had begun to explode into the heavens. There was little sunlight as the entire river remained in complete shade. It could only be described as floating down a long corridor, eerily quiet with the lights out, and no exit signs anywhere to be seen.
Blair turned to Turtle and with her teeth chattering uncontrollably. “Turtle I’m getting really, really cold. How much longer do you think this canyon goes on for? It’s been an hour or so, with no exit in sight. I don’t know how much longer I can hold on. My hands are becoming very numb.”
“I agree. We have been floating for a long time and I’m cold too. I think at our first opportunity we will have to manoeuvre our floating bag towards any spot of landing and try to climb out.”
“I agree.” Blair pressed up against Turtle side. “How’s your head. Is it still pounding?
“Well, now that you have asked Nurse Foster, between the cold water and your healing powers…well I’m much better now.” Then suddenly Turtle spots another possible landing site. “Blair, take a look over to your right, let’s give that spot a try. Kick your feet and let’s get over there.”
&n
bsp; “I see it.” Blair kicked her feet with every little bit of strength she had left.
After they had safety land, Turtle began to survey the spot where they might be able to climb out. Observing the state they were both in, exhausted, tired cold and hurt, she knew a climb up this steep mountain wall could be extremely dangerous but she also believed that if they did not try they would die in the gorge. She knew no one had ever survived this run before so help would not be coming soon. And if help came at all, it would be a recovery mission not a rescue mission. And that would mean time would no longer be of the essence. And knowing what damage had happened to this huge wilderness area she could only image what was happening elsewhere.
“Blair we have to discuss this exit path. I know we are extremely tired, cold and hurt but this looks like our only way out. Now I have some climbing experience and will guide you the entire way. Now… if I’m correct with my directions I know that there is a cave around here that we will be able to rest and recover. My dad and I travelled to this spot for years and if the mountain…well you will just have to trust me. Are you willing to try and climb out of this gorge?” Turtle stared at her shivering companion as she stood and stared up at the wall.
“Are you kidding me?” Blair exclaimed.
Turtle immediately began to softly laugh.
“You think this is funny, the city girl in a wilderness crisis situation.” Blair turned her back to Turtle as her fear had begun to overwhelm her senses.
Turtle nervously reached for Blair turned shoulder and gently turned her back around. “No, I wasn’t laughing at you. I believe you are the bravest person I have ever had the good fortune to be around.” Turtle had reached for both of Blair’s hands and continued. “I was laughing because your last words to me, for the first time were not screamed out at me and did not have your trademark fuck word in it. I’m so sorry. Do you forgive me? I know this is not what you had planned for but it’s where we are and if you just trust in yourself and me I promise we will be in the cave in no time flat.”
“We seem to be getting to know each other very well in such a short period of time.” Blair offered Turtle an acknowledgment smile. “Now where do we begin this death defining climb?” Blair removed her gaze from Turtles’ powerful eyes to the wall of fear.
“What will help you the most is that you use your hands to hold onto the rock face and your feet and legs to push your body upwards. If you try to do the opposite you will not have the accuracy or the strength. I want you to put your hands and feet exactly where I do. Try to keep your body as close to the wall as possible, and do not lean backwards, and try to keep your momentum going.” As Turtle flung the bag over her head and backwards onto her back she asked, “Do you understand?” Turtle wanted Blair to speak aloud so that she knew she was not going into shock from absolute fear.
“Got it, try not to fall. Got it, now let’s get going before I change my mind about heading back into the water.” Blair spoke with fleeing confidence as she stared at the canyon’s steep wall of rock.
The climb was going well, actually very well. Turtle was moving from spot to spot with expertise ease and precision, not completely realizing that her companion following her struggled with every single movement.
Turtle proceeded to an area of the wall that seemed to be an easy transition for her and completed the upward move with grace and ease. She could see the top of the wall so she proceeded with excited speed. The only semi-difficult move was a leg stretch from a small foot hold to a good size rock landing. Finally Mother Nature offered a helping hand. Her next several moves would be as if she was moving up a set of stairs, and then she would be standing at the top of the wall.
With one quick glance downwards she fearfully noticed that her fellow climber was in serious trouble. She had not completed the transition from one rock surface to another and was in danger of falling.
“Blair you have to stop climbing…” Turtle yelled out, as she removed the bag from her back and with noticeable strength and need she tossed it up with enough power that it landed safely on the flat earth. She took an additional second to look up to assure that the gear bag was stable enough and then began her climb down to retrieve her guest.
“I can’t move. I don’t know where to put my hands. Turtle help me please.” Blair cried out her plea.
“I’ll come back for you. Do not move a muscle. I’m coming back down to help. There is a landing just to your right. That is where I want you to move towards. But I want you to wait until I get to the landing to help.”
Blair remained in the dangerous position where all her arms and legs were stretched in opposite directions, with her face staring directly at the wall.
“Blair, I need you to turn your head to the right and look at me and only me.” Turtle had secured her body on the ledge to assist Blair’s reach.
“Blair, turn your head to the right…now.” Turtle’s voice was commanding and strong.
Slowly she turned her head and then rapidly turned it back to stare at the wall.
“Blair I can’t come to you but you can come to me. I am going to reach for your hand and you will have to let go. I promise I will catch you.”
“Catch me!! What the fuck. I can’t move. I’m so scared. Turtle help me please.” Blair was now crying out her fears.
Turtle again spoke with authority in her voice. “Blair, turn your head and look at me… now!”
Knowing she had no other choice Blair slowly moved her head to the right and glared into her saviours eyes.
“Trust me. Reach for my hand. I will not let you fall, this I promise. Please reach for my hand now.” Turtle’s voice sounded strong and unwavering.
And without hesitation Blair removed her death grip from the rock and reached for the outstretched hand.
Suddenly she was standing on the small shelf and hugging the warm female body that had just saved her life, again. Without her full awareness Turtle had literally yanked her entire body weight from where she stood clinging onto the wall to being pulled through the air to land on the rock shelf.
“Well done, now the hard part is over. You go first and just step up the rest of the way as if climbing a set of stairs, but keep your body weight as close to the wall as possible. I’ll stay behind you if you stumble.” Turtle had to lean back the top portion of her body to talk as several moments had passed and neither woman seemed to want to release their hold from the lifesaving tender embrace.
“Miss Foster, you will have to let go of me to complete the climb.” Turtle smiled as she spoke.
“Too bad, I kind of like this place I’m standing on.” Then quiet unexpectedly, Blair leaned in and offered her saviour a gentle kiss on the cheek, “Well Miss Dove you seem determined to keep saving my life.” Then released her hold and slowly climbed the few remaining steps to life.
Turtle watched her guest move towards the top and gently replied. “All part of the service.”
Chapter Five - Trust Me
After both women reached the top of the wall, they stood and looked down from where they came.
Blair reached for Turtle’s hand as a solid support, as she gently leaned over the cliff. “Well this is definitely one for the books.” Blair was amazed that she had just accomplished such a dangerous climb for the very first time. “I can’t believe I just climbed up that...and survived.” She really emphasized the word ‘that’ as she turned and looked at Turtle and then jokingly stated, “And I thought you were the one with the head injury. You do realize that when we get back not a single one of my family members or friends is ever going to believe this is not a tall tale.”
Stepping back but keeping her hand intertwined in Turtles’, Blair asked the obvious, “Turtle I get that we have been in survival mode and that we were not in the most hospitable place to be rescued, but why the hell have we not been rescued? I mean nothing has happened. Why in God’s name have we not heard any rescue helicopters or something that would indicate that there is someone looking for us? I mea
n let’s be honest, if the river that we just survived is a killer why are they not at the very least looking for our bodies? What the fuck? And where is your friend Susan, was that her name?”
And then suddenly Blair reached for the harness that was still crisscrossed across Turtle’s chest. “And now I see that we no longer have a radio. And when were you going to mention this little tidbit?” Blair instantly released her affectionate hold from Turtle’s hand as if it suddenly caught fire and then aggressively turned away to storm off in the opposite direction.
As if switching on a light switch she instantaneously reverted back to her old self as she allowed another rant to fill the silent air that surrounded them. Her arms flung into the air in a sort of out of control cheerleading wave as she spit out her message to the only person standing within a hundred yard radius.
“What the fuck are we going to do now? Clearly no one is looking for us and now you have gone ahead and lost our only means of communication for rescue. Has your company ever been sued? Well hold onto your hat because you are about to get your ass sued off? Really what kind of Mickey Mouse operation is this? I’m going to kill my brother when I get back to civilization, of course if that does indeed happen... And when am I going to get something to eat?” Suddenly silence fill the air once again as Blair stood motionless with her back to her only source of survival, her eyes frantically searching the wilderness for some form of rescue and then realization seem to strike a nerve and pow, “What the fuck?” She silently whispered.
Turtle watched her companion march off in the wrong direction, and let her go. The noise that continually came from this stranger’s mouth was at times deafening. She struggled to understand the stress this poor woman must live in every day.
Her memories went back to hearing her father use the term ‘a world of hurt’. Well Turtle believed that this sad person was in a world of hurt and as far as she was concerned no person has that much anger built up inside without reason.
