Roderick Valentine

Posted Saturday, February 10, 2024

5mo

ENTJ

Cancer

5

4

7 Year Old Fish

The weekend was coming up fast and I couldn't wait for noon. I had a half day at school because I was going on a camping trip! I sat in the school office and was talking to the receptionist. Told her about how I was gonna go fishing and hunting and sleep outdoors and brave the elements. She didn't seem to care, but she did give me one piece of advice. Make sure to wear pants and carry bug spray. Didn't really connect at the time, but it was valuable advice. I was seven years at the time, and this was the only boys family vacation I can remember. It was my father, my two older brothers and I. The plan was to camp out for two nights over the weekend for an awesome fishing trip. We had drove a few hours into the mountains and came upon a great big lake. I remember nothing but trees and a skinny road for so long and then over this hill and wow! A giant crystal blue lake, with giant rolling white clouds reflecting off its waves. We parked, loaded up, and ventured down a dirt trail into the woods. It was a long hike before we found our camping spot, but it was a nice one. After we set up, we all headed down to the lake with our fishing gear. The path from our campsite to the water was a decent trek, that I did not pay attention too. We arrived and set up our poles and waited for our first bite. After several hours and little remaining sunlight, we had a net full of fish. My brother told me to take it back to camp. I was hungry and excited to try some fresh fish over the fire. I never made it back to that campsite though. I went left down the trails, that I had went left down before...or so I thought. What was minutes became hours. I got scared, and knew I had to do something. I found my way to the lake. That's when I realized no one was looking for me. There were only a few spots I could see from the water, but they were far away. I made the choice to go towards them, the path difficult ahead. I couldn't travel near the waters edge, it was all cliff. So I had to navigate well away from the lake. I made my pocket knife into a spear, cut my sleeve off to make a headpiece,band tucked my pants into my socks and I kept moving, while the woods grew dark and night came. I didn't stop though, I knew I couldn't and before I knew it the sky began to brighten again. I had lost sight of the lake in the night and was now deeper in the woods. I was hungry and tired and afraid. What if I never find anyone? My arms were scratched from branches and thorns. I had worn my pants, and kept bug spray with me though. Eventually I was exhausted and fell asleep in a patch of grass that was so green and soft. I woke up to a bright sky and the smell of smoke. Nothing I could see, but I tried to follow with my nose. I only ended up deeper lost that day. I knew I had to eat, and I still had the net with fish in it. I bit right into one of them. Took a few bites without even tasting it. A few bones stabbed my throat on the way down. I instantly got hot and sweaty. Sick is an understatement. I spent the rest of that day just trying to find the lake, and finally when the sky was almost dark again I had found it. I decided to follow through and keep on following around the lake. There wasn't much fear at this point. I was feeling sick, tired, sore...but mostly just missing my family. Certain I wouldn't be lost forever, but still angry at the current events. I kept myself entertained with my spear and imagination. Never came across anything really scary. Lots of trees, and sharp plants. Not so many bugs(bug spray). Saw some cool lizards and birds but the greatest regret was eating that fish. Then as I'm trudging along and head in the clouds I stumble upon a concrete ground. A road in the woods. The first sign of life I had come across. The sky that night was bright. I remember the way the moon made the road shine like the stars in the sky. I started running on it towards the lake, energy coming from reserves I didn't even know about. A good time later I made it to the parking lot we had parked at. The van was still there, but not too many other vehicles. I ran up to it and jump kicked it in excitement. My older brothers were sleeping inside and heard my arrival. They poured out the double doors yelling with excitement! They both hugged me tight and commented on my smell. My dad was currently out looking for me, but told them to wait in the van. We all ended up back in the van, wrapped up in blankets waiting for him to return. Just as sunrise begins to spread it's light inside the van i hear the drivers side door open and my dad get in. He didn't say anything until he looked back and saw me with my brothers. I was abruptly awaken by him, at first yelling at me, and then apologizing. We immediately left, and he made me promise not to tell my mom. It wasn't only til later in my life I realized how messed up that situation was. I still like the mountains and hiking and exploring. I think I took care of myself quite well. I will not touch fish though. There is this distinct taste that all water animals have, and it's directly linked to trauma now. 😆 I am not letting it hold me back though. I will do the occasional sushi or gumbo.