CHAPTER 895: ACCIDENT

A while later, after everyone had had enough of this mountain valley lake, they gathered their stuff and prepared to continue on their trail. After all, they had only walked half of the trail so far.

This trail was called the ’Valley of Serenity’ because at the end of it, the hikers would find beautiful natural hot spring pools inside a mountain valley.

The group, refreshed by their interlude at the mountain valley lake, resumed their trek. The well-trodden ribbon of trail continued its ascent, the scent of pine still prominent. Ayia, Shizuka, and Kaori had the most experience in hiking, so they assumed the role of guides in this hike with their friends.

"Alright, everyone, stick together!" Ayia called out, her voice bright and clear. "This next section gets a little steeper."

Shizuka adjusted her backpack. "Just take it slow. We’ve got plenty of daylight. It’s not even midday yet, and the sun will set only after 7 pm today."

Kaori chimed in, a slight smile on her face. "And if anyone needs a breather, just say the word. No shame in a quick water break."

The three girls led the way, followed by June, Aurora, Theo, Shoko, Kumiko, Sam, Ryoko, Kin, and Gwen.

June, a little out of breath already, panted, "Are we sure this is the *gentle* ascent Shizuka promised?"

Aurora chuckled beside her. "It’s all about perspective, June! Think of it as a good workout. We have way harder on our morning workouts."

"This only shows how Theo tortures us every morning!" Sam complained

"I know you guys love my workouts!" Theo laughed before piping up, "Look at that view already! Worth every step, right?"

Ryoko nodded vigorously. "Absolutely! The air is so crisp."

Shoko, ever practical, checked her map. "Just making sure we’re on the right track. Ayia, you said this path leads to the overlook?"

"That’s the plan, Shoko-chan," Ayia replied, glancing back. "It’s about another hour from here, give or take."

Ryoko, trying to keep pace, added, "I’m just glad it’s not raining. I packed extra socks just in case."

Kin, a bit more reserved, simply hummed in agreement, as he tried to focus on his next step and not on his aching body.

Gwen, who had been trailing slightly behind Kin, suddenly pointed. "Ooh, look at those mushrooms! Are they edible?"

Kaori called back, "Better not risk it, Gwen! We’ve got plenty of snacks."

Max and Lauren, who had been engaged in a quiet conversation, walked towards the rear.

"I’m really enjoying this," Lauren murmured, her voice soft. "It’s so peaceful out here."

Max squeezed her hand. "Me too. It’s nice to just get away from everything for a while."

"Did you pack that special tea you like?" Lauren asked, a playful glint in her eye. "For the summit celebration?"

Max grinned. "Of course. Wouldn’t miss that for the world."

At a certain moment of the trail, the path divided into two, one path with a relatively uphill terrain, and another that went slightly downhill. But if far in the distance, it was possible to see that the two paths fused into one once again. So, no matter which one they chose, they would continue on the same trail.

Ayia, Kaori, and Shizuka, as experienced hikers, observed the two paths for a few seconds before unanimously choosing to go through the first path. Although this path had a slightly uphill terrain, the girls noticed that this path had firmer terrain and it was safer.

"Come this way, guys!" Ayia raised her voice, "The right path seems to have a terrain a little looser. This way is safer."

The decision was almost instantaneous, a silent consensus that rippled through the group. Despite a lingering feeling in the pit of their stomachs that the winding, clearly marked left path was harder and more conventional, everyone, without a moment’s hesitation, veered left, following the girls. This unwavering commitment wasn’t born of blind obedience, but rather a profound and deeply ingrained trust in the girls’ extensive hiking experience. They were known for their meticulous planning, their keen eye for terrain, and their uncanny ability to navigate even the most challenging routes.

However, this collective adherence wasn’t absolute. Unbeknownst to the main group, Max and Lauren, who had lingered at the very rear of the expedition, were blissfully detached from the immediate decisions. Occupying their own contented bubble, they were engrossed in a lively conversation, their attention more captivated by the breathtaking panoramic views unfurling before them across the rugged mountain landscape. It was only when they finally reached the fork in the trail, a point where the path predictably split into two distinct routes, that they registered the absence of their friends. A quick glance confirmed their companions had taken the left-hand path. But as Max and Lauren scanned ahead, a subtle detail caught their attention: both paths, seemingly diverging now, appeared to converge once more further down the line, like two hesitant streams rejoining.

"Hey, look!" Max exclaimed, his voice brimming with a sudden surge of curiosity and wonder as he stepped onto the right-hand path, the very route the girls had explicitly cautioned against. "Is that an eagle’s nest up there?" The allure of the untrodden, the forbidden, had clearly piqued his interest.

"Where?" Lauren responded, her own gaze now shifting upwards, drawn by Max’s excitement. Mirroring his action, she too entered the right path, the one deemed less advisable.

After pausing to thoroughly admire the majestic sight of the eagle’s nest, capturing a few photographs to document their discovery, the pair, still relatively unconcerned, resumed their journey along the less-traveled way.

As the path grew progressively narrower, its surface becoming increasingly uneven, and began to snake its way around a steep, outward-sloping incline, Max, with a touch of adventurous impulsiveness, stepped slightly off the established, albeit faint, trail. Lauren, her trust in his instincts unshaken, followed suit without a second thought. In that precise moment, the ground beneath their feet, rendered treacherously soft and unstable by the recent, heavy rainfall and cunningly concealed by a thick, deceptive carpet of fallen leaves, offered virtually no reliable purchase. Max lost his footing first, a sharp, surprised yelp escaping his lips as he lost his balance and began to tumble downwards. Lauren, instinctively reaching out in a desperate attempt to steady him, found herself losing her own equilibrium. In a chaotic flurry, her camera strap snagged on the unforgiving branch of a low-hanging tree, momentarily arresting her fall before she, too, began to roll uncontrollably down the steep, densely forested embankment.

AAAARHGGGGGGGG

The sound of their descent was a chaotic symphony of snapping twigs, rustling leaves, and muffled cries.

Theo and the others at the front of the group heard the commotion and immediately halted.

"What was that sound?" Theo asked worriedly as he looked around.

"Where’s Lauren and Max?" Kumiko suddenly asked with a worried expression.

Everyone thought for a while and connected Lauren and Max’s absence with the shouting sounds.

"It seemed like Max and Lauren’s voices," Shoko commented.

Kaori, her practiced eye already scanning the direction of the disturbance, pointed. "Down there!" she called out, her voice laced with concern.

"Let’s go!" Ayia exclaimed as she ran toward the sound, "Be careful, guys! We don’t want another accident!" She shouted as she weaved through the path.

"Okay!"

"Come on!

"..."

Just like that, everyone quickly ran toward the place where they heard the shout and sounds.

Ayia, her energetic stride now directed towards the unfolding incident, was the first to reach the edge of the slope. She peered down, her trained eyes clearly saw the signs of two people falling down the hill.

"It seems like they fell down this slope," Ayia said with a heavy tone of voice.

Everyone exchanged worried glances as they heard that.

"Look! That is Lauren’s camera!" Aurora exclaimed as she pointed at the camera hanging from a tree’s branch.

Theo, taking charge, began to assess the situation. The slope was steeper than it had initially appeared, a treacherous descent covered in loose foliage, trees, and dense undergrowth.

"MAX! LAUREN!" Everyone started shouting as they tried to find their friends figures down the hill.