I woke up early that morning and packed up quietly. He was still sleeping. I was almost all packed and in the clear when I heard, “What the hell are you doing?”
“I want to do the Maryland challenge,” my voice was shaking. “You hike way faster than me so I need to get a head start. Don’t worry you’ll catch me.”
“Whatever,” he said then rolled back over.
I clipped my hip belt and started running down the trail.
I passed hiker after hiker from 6AM to 6PM never stoping to say hi or chat. I had to go far and fast if I was to get away. I wanted to at least make it the 43 miles into the first shelter of Pennsylvania. I didn’t stop for breakfast or lunch I just walked as fast as I could, adrenaline and cortisol coursing through my veins all day under the sweltering Mid-Atlantic summer sun.
I was almost into PA when the sun started setting. I was terrified of hiking alone in the dark. I had my headphones connected to my phone nestled in my sports bra listening to songs to distract me from my discomfort. I was thirsty, hungry, and exhausted. I ran out of water so I stopped at a stream to fill my bottle. I didn't even bother taking off my pack. I bent down to fill my Nalgene and PLOP. My phone was completely submerged under the flowing water. I was already demoralized and hurting but this broke me. I threw my pack off, collapsed in the dirt, and cried. I was doomed. He would catch me and hold me hostage. I was afraid of him and I knew I hadn’t seen what he was fully capable of. I checked my AWOL guide. The next shelter was 0.7 miles away. I didn’t make it to the PA border. I sauntered to the shelter with a heavy heart and asked a hiker if I could borrow his phone to call my mom. She said not to worry and to get into town at the next road crossing and buy a new phone. She would pay for it. She wanted me to feel safe and she knew how important having the option to call when I had service was. I was relieved but also anxious. I went to sleep and hoped tomorrow would be better.
Comments