It was a hot summer morning and the sky was cloud-free and empty except for the golden sun. The sun smiled upon the trees, the animals, and the people underneath its summer rays. It was the most perfect day for an outdoor activity. In fact, it was Quinn and Reina's summer outing. Actually, a couple of new friends invited them to join their summer outing. They had just moved in the neighborhood.
"It's so kind of them, inviting us to join even though we've only just met them," Reina said as she packed their camping equipment. Reina was a typical kind of girl: simple yet sweet. She loves reading books and trying out new recipes. She had long, brown hair going down until her shoulder blades. She previously had bangs, which grew longer and now jagged with style. "I'm glad we moved here, Quinn."
Quinn was Reina's boyfriend. He's almost the complete opposite of Reina. Quinn often likes to stay at home watching TV, playing console with Reina (who usually doesn't win against him) or surfing the World Wide Web. Reina, on the other hand, is outgoing—she's actually more excited going to this summer trip than Quinn. Quinn has jet-black hair cut short. Though it doesn't look like it, Quinn's a university professor.
"I'm glad you loved it, luvvy." Quinn said. He wasn't as excited as Reina that he even thought of bringing the laptop. Reina said it wasn't a good idea since there wouldn't probably be a cottage in that area and that they would probably stay outdoors most of the time. "Do you need help over there?"
Reina shook her head. She had just finished packing their camping equipment. Inside their bag were comfy clothes, some canned food and useful tools Quinn told her to bring. Quinn was carefully checking their car before they set off, inspecting everything if they're in place and fully functional. Just as he finished checking the car, Reina handed their bags and the basic equipments like the tent and the inflatable boat to him. Quinn, in turn, put them in the trunk and later, after double-checking everything, he started the engine.
Reina walked over to the front door and sat down. "Buh-bye, King," she said as she picked up a Shitzu (who she refers to as King) and kissed him on his snout, "be a good boy now, okay? Mommy and daddy will be out a couple of days. If you need food, you'll know where to get it." King was actually trained to get his food. There was a doggie pellet dispenser just beside the kitchen cabinet and it's easy access for King. Quinn, being the techie-gizmo-freak, had set-up the automated burglar alarm, just in case. This alarm would send out a signal to the nearest police station.
Meanwhile, Quinn took out his phone as it rang. "Hello? Quinn!" the voice in the other line said, "it's me Princeton!" Princeton was one of their new neighbors who planned the summer outing. He was bringing along his girlfriend, Melody, as well.
"Yeah. Right. I mean, you're right. We turn left at the crossroads," Quinn said confirming he understood Princeton's direction.
"Just make sure you don't get lost, man!" Princeton said just before he hung up.
As soon as Reina locked up the front gate of their house, she joined Quinn in the car. She gave him a peck on the cheek and held his hand. With one last look at the house, he gave Reina a kiss and shifted the gear in drive. "And we're off."
* * *
A couple of hours and stop-overs later, they reached the woodland their friend Princeton was talking about. According to him, it gets quite messy from there since the paved roads have ended and the murky paths welcome a greeting. "Princess told me to be wary of the woods," Reina said. Princess was another of their friends who will join them in their outing. It was Princess who had suggested to visit these woods for the lake at the center has a pretty sight under the moonlight. "We could get lost if we're not careful."
"Princeton said to just follow the rocky road until the road splits," Quinn said and hesitated, "then we go... right. Right."
"Are you sure?" Reina worriedly asked.
"Yeah, I'm sure, luvvy," Quinn's hand rested on Reina's in reassurance.
Later, it was beginning to get dark, not only because of the tall trees blocking the sky but also because of an unexpected formation of rain clouds, which they did not notice under the trees. Reina was tuning the car stereo as the signal became weaker while Quinn tried to steer them along the path. It wasn't as easy as it looked even though the trees around were scarce, mainly because the trees' shades and the rain clouds above where blocking the sunlight.
Suddenly, the car's rear wheels got stuck in the soft soil under them. Quinn stepped on the gas and revved the machine hoping that the soil would give in but it was useless. He got off the car to check on it and upon learning their situation, searched for a strong branch to lift the wheels out of the soft pit. Reina, who also got off the vehicle, pulled her mobile phone out of her pocket and tried to dial their friends' numbers. Unfortunately, the signal was weak in the depths of the forest.
Just when their luck's about to change, Quinn heard Reina scream. Startled, he dropped the branch he had found beneath the tall pine tree. He looked at Reina but he couldn't understand what she was saying. Afar, it looked like as if she was beckoning him to get in the car and quickly. Alas, he looked behind him and saw a bear. Hurriedly, he ran towards the car when all of a sudden, rain started to pour. The soil became muddy that Quinn slipped on his side. He got up in a second because of the rush of adrenaline and got in the car, just in time.
The bear ran after him, as it gave out a roar. Its saliva was dripping down its mouth as it followed Quinn. It seemed to be telling them that this was his territory and that they were invading it. It circled the car under the non-stopping rain and every now and then, it would rock the car with its giant paws. Inside, the temperature was as cold as outside (even if the windows were fully-shut) and unfortunately for them, their car didn't have a heater.
"Shit!" Quinn cursed, "what are we going to do then?"
"Don't worry, hun," said Reina as she held Quinn's hand. "As soon as we get a signal..." she said but soon trailed off. "Oh no! I dropped the phone outside! I'm sorry, hun" Reina cried in distress.
"No, it's alright," Quinn said as he pulled his wet shirt off of him and hugged her, "it's alright, luvvy." Quinn twisted the wet shirt on the car's floor and wiped the rain off of him. He tried to dry himself up else he would catch a cold. As hours passed by, the rain grew stronger and stronger and the grizzly bear just won't go away. Having been wet with rain, Quinn started to shiver. If only I can open the trunk and get some spare clothes, he thought to himself.