Chapter One - Long Way From Home

“Yeah, we’re almost in the mountains. I think we’re about to lose signal.” Jaricko said to his mother. The woman was busy fussing over her son. It was a common scene in the Peterson household.

“Do you have everything? I know we double-checked your bags but you can never be sure!” She warned Jaricko. The boy in question couldn’t help but smile wryly in response. His mother was a worrywart but also had his best interests in mind.

“I’m sure, Mom. We went through the bags at least a dozen times, besides, if I’m missing anything then it's too late. I’m already halfway across the country now, thank you for worrying though.” Jaricko attempted to reassure her. He thought about when he left his parents to make his way to his college. His heart still felt heavy from the words he had said when he left to go onto the airplane.

He had been frustrated with her when she and his father had forced him to spend his summer camping as part of a bonding experience for incoming freshmen. He realized after a night of introspection that the trip would be good for him. He didn’t have the best luck making friends during high school, but maybe college would be different?

“Are there any cute girls there? Now is the time to find someone-”

“Mom!” Jaricko hissed into the phone and looked around the large bus. After a moment of making sure no one had heard his mother, he returned back to the conversation. She was busy laughing and her son sighed in exasperation.

“I mean…I guess? I haven’t really been paying attention. We still have a few hours until we're at the camping grounds. They kinda just herded us onto the bus when we met,” Jaricko said. The taxi ride to the campus had been uneventful, although the driver had regaled him about the scenery around the small city. Apparently, Montana was known for more than cowboys? The wonders of the world never ceased to amaze.

“Well make sure to use protection! Your father slipped a box into your bag when you weren’t looking,” his mother cackled across the device and Jaricko swore he could hear his father’s booming laughter in the background. The teenager’s face flushed a crimson hue and he sputtered, unable to form the words to combat his devilish progenitor.

“That’s why the TSA agent gave me a funny look! Mom!” Jaricko hissed into the phone. The laughter only increased in volume and Jaricko shook his head and let out a soft sigh.

His mother and father had met on a trip just like this. According to their passionate retelling of the story that had him and his brother covering their ears and praying for the sweet release of death. The memory of the event made Jaricko wince in pain.

He bit the side of his mouth before speaking.

“Also, I just wanted to say that I’m sorry about what I said when I left. I wasn’t thinking stra-”

“What’s that? You’re cutting out.” His mother’s voice was crackling on the other end. Jaricko repeated his words.

“I just wanted to say I love you both-” The line went dead and Jaricko ran a hand through his short hair. He sighed and frowned. He wasn’t even sure if she had heard him. He was upset that he hadn’t had a chance to apologize for his actions and now he’d have to carry that feeling the entire trip. Said trip was supposed to last for half a month. An entire month without electricity or cell service. Jaricko shuddered at the thought.

He hurried to power down his phone in an effort to conserve the battery. He patted the side of his backpack where the portable charger was too. He had splurged slightly and purchased a small solar charger using the money he had earned from working odd summer jobs. It wasn’t big enough to keep more than his phone and headphones filled up, but he hoped it would suffice.

He grabbed a water bottle from his bag and surveyed the rest of the bus. There were around thirty other future students that had decided to sign up for the wilderness experience. That number didn’t include the six upperclassmen along with the bus driver and supervising professor.

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The professor was what many would describe as valley grain. Young for her position, she couldn’t have been older than her late twenties. She had blonde hair with brown roots. Square glasses framed a round face and she was busy chatting amicably with a group of students towards the front of the bus. They were too far away for Jaricko to successfully eavesdrop.

Jaricko wasn’t brave enough or socially confident to insert himself in that conversation. It would have taken him walking halfway across the bus to try to find an empty seat on the outskirts. The first part of that would submit him to the stares of everyone, and the second part would be plain weird.

Oh, Mom, I think I’m having second thoughts.

No one answered his inner feelings so he contended himself to look out the window.

There’ll be plenty of opportunities to talk to others. No need to rush in and make a bad first impression.

Trees whipped by like racing giants. Green nettle displayed their lush colors and swayed in the wind.

The young boy sat restlessly on the bus, his face pressed against the window as the vehicle made its way through the vibrant mountains of Montana. His eyes were fixed on the lush wilderness outside, his expression revealing a sense of unease and apprehension.

He had lived in a city his entire life. The closest he had ever come to braving the outdoors was when he had to go pick up takeout at the nearby Thai restaurant. There was the occasional trip to visit his grandparents on their farm but he didn’t count that.

Jaricko had been told that he would learn what was needed on the trip. Apparently, the professor and the upperclassmen were all majoring in wilderness relating fields of study. Jaricko hadn’t even known that was a thing until he was told.

Suffice it to say that Jaricko held an appropriate amount of caution to something he was unfamiliar with.

I’m not scared, just would rather not get bit by a wolf or something.

The towering peaks of the mountains loomed ominously in the distance, their jagged edges cutting into the clear sky. As the bus snaked its way along the unmaintained roads, he caught a glimpse of the steep cliff that they were currently traversing. He gulped audibly when he caught sight of the height they were at. Movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention.

He watched as a lone wolf prowled through the rocky terrain, its sharp eyes gleaming in the bright light. A carcass of a deer lay abandoned on the ground, its lifeless body a testament to the harshness of the unforgiving wilderness. The teenager felt a sense of fear and trepidation settle over him as he gazed out at the eerie terrain.

Yeah, I’m really having second thoughts now, Mom. I want to go home.

The bus ride soon lulled into a peaceful silence. The faint sound of chatter could be made out, but it had reduced to mere whispers from the raucous it had once been.

Jaricko drifted in and out of sleep. The hum of the engine and pretty scenery, along with a cozy blanket that he draped over himself, served to usher him into a content state of being.

Occasionally, the bus would pass through a small and rundown town or village, but there was no sign of life in the deserted streets. The abandoned buildings and empty storefronts seemed to mock the boy, their hollow shells a reminder of the isolation and distance he was from proper civilization.

It was while passing through one of the ghost towns that Jaricko caught a glimpse of something moving behind the aged walls of a structure. He slapped his cheeks to wake himself up from his drowsiness and dismissed what he saw as a figment of his imagination.

After what felt like hours, the bus was forced to slow down as the paved road turned to rubble. A turn to the right had them descending from the cliff and towards what appeared to be a small valley in the distance. Jaricko figured they were almost at their destination. The professor seemed to agree.

“Hey, yall! Just want to say that we’re about fifteen minutes away from the University owned grounds. If you wouldn’t mind waking up those around you I’d appreciate it!” She grinned with pearly white teeth and gave a thumbs up. Jaricko gave a short nod, even though he had no one around him that he felt comfortable waking up. He watched as what he thought were former two complete strangers giggled at a joke, acting like they’d known each other for years. It amazed him how people could make friends that fast.

Jaricko packed his blanket back onto the straps of his duffel bag. The ocean blue Costco-sized cover had been worth it, although it was a bit of a hassle to roll back up. He mused silently if he had packed enough. The short introduction to the camp boasted about experiencing the wonders of nature, while also the not-so-amazing parts.

Some of the pictures on the University websites showed images of cabins, firepits, and an outhouse. Jaricko grumbled at the thought of pooping outside the comforts of flimsy American walls. He already missed his toilet back home. He had spent countless hours scrolling through meaningless videos upon its kingly seat.

He was interrupted from his internal dialogue by the appearance of one of the upperclassmen. The man got his attention with a simple wave of his tanned hand. He had a handsome face and wore a beanie. He looked like he had been ripped right out of the recruitment pamphlet of the University and Jaricko wondered if he also had a banjo. He probably sat around campfires and sang “Riptide.”

“Hey dude, just wanted to check in to see how you’re doing. My name’s Briar, I’m a wilderness biology major. Not sure if you heard Clair upfront, but just wanted to let you know we’re almost at the grounds.” He spoke with an easygoing smile and offered a limp hand. Jaricko shook it in reflex.

An awkward silence settled between the two and Jaricko realized that he was supposed to speak.

“Ah, sorry, but yes. I did hear the professor. I think you said her name was Clair? Yes. Um. I’m undecided right now. Just seeing what’s out there,” Jaricko responded. He wiped his sweaty palm on his jeans in what he hoped was a casual motion.

Briar never lost his smile, which was a little creepy, but Jaricko took it as a good sign.

“That’s cool dude, I know a lot of people aren’t sure what they want to major in when they first get here. Hopefully, I can interest you in mine by the end of this trip.” He laughed like how Jaricko imagined the desert wind sounded. Dry.

The socially awkward gave a customary laugh that felt a little bit forced.

“I’ll certainly keep it in mind,” the teenager responded.

“Perfect! Well, if you ever have any questions during our time here don’t think twice to ask me. I’ve been going on this since I was in your position so I know my way around! We can talk later tonight at the bonfire, take care!” Briar left with another airy chuckle and a casual wave. Jaricko watched him move further down the bus and begin chatting with another student.

Jaricko slumped in his seat and let out a breath of didn’t know he had been holding.

Yeah, this is going to be a long trip.