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rising sun and searched again to find where the road became visible near the horizon.
    “I don’t know-far. But it can’t be more than fifteen or twenty miles, or we wouldn’t be able to see it at all. Once we get down there we’ll have to travel by compass. The terrain doesn’t look too bad from here though.” He turned and looked right into her eyes. “It could be as much as a few days of walking.”
    Every time he looked at her like that, she felt the same small thrill go through her. To break the spell, she closed her eyes for a second and took a deep breath.
    “But, we’re going to go for it, right?”
    “Yeah, it doesn’t make much sense to stay here. It’s summer. That road goes somewhere, and really all we have to do is not get attacked or eaten by any animals, not get lost, and not get injured before we make it out of here.”
    For a moment Melanie thought he was being melodramatic for effect, but his serious expression convinced her that he meant every word.
    “Don’t get eaten, lost, or injured. Check.”
    Back by the plane, they prepared to set out. In the bin was a simple nylon backpack that was serviceable enough, but not very large. Alex cut and tied a makeshift backpack from the parachute material so they each had something to carry things in.
    Together, they decided what to take and what to leave behind. Then Melanie took charge of making them a quick meal of oatmeal and dried fruit. By the time they were ready, the sun was already high.
    Before they started out in the direction of the road, Alex stood where they had first spotted it, and drew a rough map and directions. He pulled out a compass from a small pocket on his backpack.
    “If we make sure we’re headed northeast, we’ll eventually make it there.”
    They walked along the ridge until they found a spot that sloped more gently downward, and picked their way carefully down the side of the mountain.
    The terrain was often rocky and difficult, but Melanie’s energy was high. They snacked on trail mix and dried fruit. Alex’s mood seemed even and focused, and although he sometimes walked ahead to see what was coming up, he mostly stayed close.
    The beauty of the park was staggering, and she found herself forgetting at times that this journey was not recreational, but one of survival.
    At one point her attention was drawn to a large, dark object that was moving in the near distance. When she recognized the shape, she stood frozen in place. “Oh my God,” she said in an urgent whisper.
    Alex was a bit ahead, but he turned.
    “Let’s roll,” he said, “I’d like to make good time while we’re fresh.”
    When she didn’t move he started back towards her.
    “Hey, what’s up?”
    Putting a finger to her lips, she pointed with her other hand. “Alex, shhhh.”
    He came close and peered over her shoulder.
    “What?” he whispered near her ear.
    Eyes wide, she looked back at him. “Don’t you see it? I think it’s a bear.”
    About fifty yards away, a small bear ambled along with his backside facing them.
    “Oh yeah, I see him now. It’s a black bear cub.”
    Melanie couldn’t believe how casual he sounded. It was irritating sometimes, how nothing seemed to ruffle his calm exterior, but his manner did quiet her rising alarm.
    “Well, from what I’ve heard, where there’s a baby bear, a mama bear isn’t too far behind.”
    “Yep, and there she is.”
    The mother bear was quite a bit bigger than baby bear, and although she didn’t appear to see them, she sniffed the air huffing with displeasure. Never having seen a bear outside of a zoo, Melanie was as fascinated as she was terrified.
    They stood still for a few minutes, watching the mother and her cub. Finally, the pair began drifting away in the opposite direction from them, and Alex suggested they continue on their way.
    “You didn’t seem at all concerned,” she said, feeling a small petulance now that any danger had passed.
    “I didn’t have anything to be afraid