Warm.

That's how I'm feeling right now. Warm. A stark contrast from the clear midnight sky overshadowing the forest I'm hiking through. Connecting with nature is a favorite pasttime of mine, ever since my father took me down the Appalachian Mountains growing up.

As I walk back, I'm looking at a makeshift map I drew from when I was in my pathfinder scout class. I can't quite seem to match it to the area. Typically, I would look for tree formations that were unique or follow the stars, the big dipper, to find my direction. I may have gone a little off path.

There is a strech of rose bushes, tall trees and a paved dirt trail. I continue down the trail, pulling my flashlight out to get a better view. As I click it on, I see something moving in the distance. Dim, white glowing eyes. It's slowly moving side to side, ever so slightly going in my direction.

Then it runs. I've been told coyotes were around the area at night, but typically I kept to the main trail and didn't veer off. I start running, twigs are breaking off trees and the smell of dry grass and cedar fills my lungs. I arrive at a downward hill on the trail. I slowly get a footing, the running sound of the coyote in the distance. As I'm climbing down, the branch I'm holding onto starts to snap.

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"Shit." I say out loud, looking down. That's a hell of a fall. I'm trying to shove my foot through a small gap between two rocks to get a better footing. The weight of my backpack is straining the branch, its bending and I can hear faint cracking sounds from the branch.

Looking up to adjust my grip, I see two white eyes.

"FUCK."

The coyote growls and snaps at me, and in a panic I flinch and the branch snaps. I land on several sharp rocks, my leg feels like its both been hit with a hammer and relaxing in a warm bath. It's a maroon red, oozing, covering the grass and staining the rocks and pebbles. I'm tearing my shirt trying to make a tourniquet, but it only soaks up the blood. I can't remember the knot it needs.

"Shit"

Tears roll down my face, my eyes burning. I'm thrashing on the ground, trying to get the backpack off. I feel sore. Can't think. Knot. I need the knot.

What was the knot. Blood draining, can't stop.

Cold. I feel cold. As I lay on the ground, I see the stars becoming fuzzy. There is a bright orange light washing over me.

I don't want to go. It feels like someone is putting several needles in my heart and leg.

I grip some rocks tightly and scream.

"HELP"

My head... it hurts. It feels like... bad. My chest is tight, can't breathe. I can barely see.

But warm. I feel warm. It's blurry. I feel... dizzy. As my eyes roll black, I feel an incredible calm.

Warm.