Mudslide

SARAH DAVIES

in

MUDSLIDE

By RONNIE DAUBER

Copyright © 2018 Ronnie Dauber

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used by any means, graphic, electronic, mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and book reviews.

Printed in the United States of America 2018

Author Credits:

Author of:

From Slave to Hero (Crown Series #2)—2017

No Compromise (Revised)—2017

A Christmas King—2016

From Cradle to King (Crown Series #1)—2016

God’s Calling…It’s for You—2016

Let Faith Arise (revised edition)—2016

No Compromise (First Edition)—2015

Whiteout (Sarah Davies series #3)—2012

Raging Waters (Sarah Davies series #4)—2012

Let Faith Arise (first edition)—2012

Mudslide (Sarah Davies series #1 first edition)—2011

Firestorm (Sarah Davies series #2)—2011

Web Secrets—2011

Books may be ordered through Amazon stores or by contacting:

Smashwords at smashwords.com

Or

Ronnie Dauber’s website http://www.ronniedauber.ca

ISBN-13: 978-1542903585

Acknowledgments

I’d like to thank my children for the many exciting and even nail-biting journeys you felt I needed over the years; the good ones, the bad ones and the ones that only a mother could overcome. Your combined adventures are the inspirations that have made this series of books possible.

Dedication

To Kevin McColley, my college tutor who taught me how to write exciting and adventurous stories.

Table of Contentss

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Prologue

The Warning

Stirring Conflict

Ambushed

The Last Flag

Death Wish

Buried Alive

Missing

Rapunzel’s Rope

Déjà vu

The Hunt

The Search

Heavy Shoulders

The Blood Trail

The Hungry River

The Angry Waters

déjà vu again?

One Down, One to Go

Wait For It!

The Rescue

Exodus

Three Letter Word for Destiny

Prologue

Was there ever a time in your life when you had a dream and then made plans that seemed so perfect you just knew nothing in the world could ever ruin them? Well, this past week was not that time. This past week was the nightmare that you dreaded and prayed you’d never have.

As I look back on everything that happened, I can’t believe that I’m still alive. I had to face my greatest fears and that wasn’t easy, and I had to use every skill and training technique I’d learned just to survive, and even more in the race-against-time rescue mission. I know it’s changed my life and it’s changed how I think about things and how I view people. For this 18-year-old girl, I know I aged many years last week, and I wouldn’t wish a week like this on anyone.

I had a dream a few days before this hiking adventure that bothered me a lot at first, but one that I soon shrugged off as I’m just one of those people who dream a lot. Most of my dreams have just given me ideas to think about, and only a couple could be looked at as warnings about something. I see now that my latest dream was a warning. I wish I’d known that then.

Like so many things in life, there comes good and bad out of everything. In a very small way, I guess I could say that it wasn’t all bad, but on the whole scope of things, it was the most daunting experience of my life—of anyone’s life for that matter—and the fear that came with it still haunts me. If I can just forget it and put it behind me as a bad experience, I’ll be okay. But it was more than a bad experience; it was the week when a death chain hung around my neck and I’m not sure that I’ll ever be able to forget it.

I dreamed that we were on a class trip that we’d waited for all year. It was to be a time for us to experience the great outdoors in a hike along the beautiful Snake River. My whole Geography class would be part of this great adventure that would end our high school experience with good memories. But for me personally, it would be my final chance to get the guy of my dreams to notice me. I made a wish, thinking of him, that this trip would be one I’d never forget. And I hoped that it would end with me being his special girl.

The school bus pulled up to a huge gate that had flashing red lights with a big neon sign that said, Beware! Danger Ahead! No one else saw the sign, not even my cousin Meagan who sat right beside me. I remember that I was nervous when we drove through the gate, but the sounds of people laughing and shouting convinced me that I was just imagining things. As we passed under the arc at the gate entrance, the hairs on my neck stood up as shivers of fear rolled throughout my body. And the only sound I heard was, Be careful what you wish for.

I woke up in a cold sweat, and when I told Meagan about it she said it was likely just a dream brought on by the anxiety of trying too hard to get Rick to like me. I thought she was right and so I decided that even a bad dream wasn’t going to deter me from going on this trip. This was going to be my opportunity to finally win his affection.

Now, here I sit a week later in the safety of my window bench in my bedroom and I realize that not everything we want is what is best for us—is what was meant to be for us. It seems that sometimes we are so stubborn in what we want and what we will do for our own desires, that we will ignore people and even treat them badly in our efforts to get what we want. Sometimes it takes a mighty wake-up call for us to realize who we are and what is best for us. Sometimes it takes something like a deadly mudslide to bring us back to reality!

Chapter 1

The Warning

Meagan and I joined the rest of the class in stomping the floor and cheering as the old rustic school bus rolled into White Canyon Park. It had been a long ride and we were all ready to get out and stretch our legs.

We’re here, Meagan said excitedly, nudging my arm with her elbow.

Amanda leaned forward from the seat behind us and tapped my arm. Sure, three days of hiking along a Snake River? I hope that’s just a name and not what’s there.

I turned and smiled at her as I slid off the seat. Yeah, well I’m looking forward to the day of white water rafting after the hike.

Not me, Amanda replied. It’s the last night at the Resort Hotel that I’m waiting for. I mean, Cary Knight’s going to be there and he’s just the hottest American Idol ever.

Meagan pulled her curly auburn hair up into a clip and then grabbed her backpack from the rungs. Sarah, this sure is a great way to end high school, don’t you think? We’ll never get trips like this once we’re in college.

I grinned at my cousin, but a discomforting knot slowly rose up into my chest. Yeah, I guess.

Sarah, you’re not still worrying over that dream you had the other night, are you? Come on, everything’s turned out so good. It stopped raining, the temperature is perfect, and the paths are clear. What could go wrong?

I was smiling on the outside, but my insides were churning with anxiety. I couldn’t shake the eerie feeling that something horrific was waiting for us deep inside that forest.

There was a burst of rowdy laughter from the back of the bus as Rick and several others were gathering their backpacks and joking around. Meagan grabbed my arm and huffed at me as her hazel eyes glared back at the blonde football icon flexing his muscles.

Come on, Sarah, forget him. We came here to have fun, not to be nauseated by that pompous jerk.

She didn’t like Rick at all, but my heart fluttered every time I saw him. I’m not sure if it was his perfect short sandy hair that emphasized his alluring blue eyes, or if it was his charming smile that drew me to him. Whatever it was, I was in a state of awe every time he was near me. I tried so many times to get his attention, but I was always tongue-tied around him and never gave him any incentive to get to know me. But now we were going to be together trekking along the river and I was sure that this was going to be my chance to get his attention.

It took only seconds for the bus to empty and then we all began stretching and jumping around to get rejuvenated from the four-hour bus ride. The husky park superintendent stood beside a tiny young woman, and they were dressed in green shorts and bright yellow shirts. They waited for us by the main door of the office where portage backpacks were stacked in three groups.

He waved at us and yelled out for us to join him. Take any personal items from your own backpacks that you think you’ll need on the hike because you’ll be leaving those bags here. You’ll be carrying these portage bags, but don’t worry; we’ll take your backpacks to the Resort so they’ll be there when you arrive. These bags here are filled with everything you’ll need for the hike.

Mr. Baker was standing with Mr. Lee and Ms. Ryan and he began lecturing us on being respectful to our leaders and working together as a team. Our whole class of 24 students had come and we were being divided into three color-coded teams with a teacher in charge of each team.

Oh, and one more thing, Mr. Baker added. I told you Friday in class that this was going to be a tech-free hike, so let’s have all those gadgets that you’ve got stuffed in your pockets. I’ll be the only one with a phone and it’s not my personal phone, either, as I’m in this with the rest of you. It’s a special cell with a waterproof cover that allows me to keep in touch with this office in case of emergencies.

There was groaning and even some unpleasant words spoken by some of my peers. Three days was a long time for any teenager to be without cyber contact and not too many from my class liked that.

Mr. Baker shook his head and chuckled. Come on! This is a wilderness hike, guys. So, let’s get out there and try to survive for three days without these.

I reached into my jacket pocket. Cameras, too, Mr. Baker? I need this to take pictures of our trip for our visual photo album.

I was really hoping to get a good one of Rick and me, but when I looked over at him, I saw that he was busy flirting with Beth. I knew it would have to be later.

Yes, Sarah, you need to bring that camera to get pictures of your team. Okay, listen up everyone! Sarah and Roger and Nattie have cameras to take pictures of their teams for the Bearsfield High yearbook, so don’t forget to smile. And remember, the team that arrives at the Canyon on Wednesday with the most flags gets to meet the American Idol in person.

The enthusiasm in Mr. Baker’s voice was enough to charge everyone with excitement, and I joined in with their loud cheers. It took a few minutes for everyone to settle down after that, but slowly we began to gather our backpacks and head out to our campsite.

We were on the stony ground outside the admin office and yet I could smell the lingering wet stench from the dense trees at the entrance of the nearby camping grounds. As Amanda buckled her backpack, she started to whine about the trails being too slippery and dangerous to walk on. Mr. Baker was about to speak when the elderly superintendent cut in.

Oh yeah, they’re safe for trekking now, he responded and then laughed with his deep hardy voice. That storm did close the park for a couple of days there, but that’s over now. The trails are still a bit wet in places, but that’s what hiking is about— roughing it.

Mr. Baker thanked him and motioned for us to follow him. He’s captain over my team and that’s great with me because he’s my favorite teacher, even though I struggled to learn most of what he taught in Geography class. And Meagan, even though she was known for her wild fashion statements, was a brainer in his class. She just glided through and took all the high marks.

Meagan’s watch was pinging at four o’clock and we were finally heading out to the main camp where all three teams would spend the first night together. Our team was called Team Red and it consisted of me and Meagan, Nik, Brad, Austin, Amanda, Rick and Beth.

Nik and I carried the food in our portage bags, although he got the heavier bag and that seemed fair since he was the one with the muscles. Nik’s real name is a typical Indonesian name, about a dozen letters long and impossible to pronounce, so everyone calls him Nik for short. Geography is the only class that Meagan and I have with him so we didn’t know much about him. Although, I know Meagan would like to change that.

Hey, Sarah. You seem to handle that bag okay, Nik chuckled as we walked.

Yeah, well Meagan and I spend part of our summers every year hiking and camping, so we’re kind of used to it. But Geez, Nik, you’re the one who’s handling the bag as if there’s nothing in it.

Well, I’m used to it, too. Me and Brad have traveled all over the country on portage hikes. Carrying this is no big deal.

Really? Meagan stepped right up and joined the conversation. So, do you go with your family or maybe a girlfriend, or do you belong to a hiking club?

Well, we joined a kid’s’ camp years ago and now we’re counselors and we take young teens on designated hikes. Plus we go with my family on more challenging ones every summer. No girlfriend.

Meagan nodded as she continued talking. Nik didn’t notice, I’m sure, but I felt the relief in her voice. So, have you and Brad been friends for a while?

Yeah. Our families kind of grew up together, so I guess you can say we’re friends. Nik laughed as he looked back at Brad who was walking with Amanda.

Then you’re like us, used to going for days without our cells, Meagan giggled.

Nik chuckled, Yeah. Hard to imagine, isn’t it? I mean, a computer geek like Brad with no toys to play with! Anyway, I hope we get to the campsite soon because I need to get something to eat. I’m starving!

It was only about a ten-minute walk to the campsite, but I was starving, too, by the time we got there. I just wanted to set up our tent and dive into the food bag before the growling in my stomach drew too much attention. We were supposed to sleep two to a tent, and Meagan and I were setting up ours when I noticed Rick setting up his.

My hunger seemed to fade away for a second as I watched him. How can you not like him, Meg? I mean, look at the way he dresses, and his laugh is so awesome. I wish he’d notice me.

Sarah, he’s not going to notice you. You’re dressed for camping. He’s going to notice Beth because she is barely dressed. They’ve been an item for months, anyway, so I don’t think he’s going to drop her to notice anyone else. Come on. We’re here to have fun. Promise me that you’re not going to spend the time drooling over that idiot.

I knew she was right. Meagan’s always right. But I couldn’t stop hoping that maybe things would change if I got to spend some time with him so he could actually get to know me.

Our tents were finally set up and we spent the next few hours talking and laughing around the campfire. It was a lot of fun and we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and made fun of some of our school projects. The surrounding trees made everything look so black and mystical. It was almost as if we were lone survivors on some forsaken island.

Meagan nudged my arm as her face lit up with a big smile. Here come Brad and Nik. Sarah, be nice to Brad, please. For me, okay?

Meagan had been secretly in love with Nik for months now and so she was eager to have them join us. I, on the other hand, had avoided Brad all year. He had asked me out so many times that I lost count. I didn’t have any interest in him and I guess that’s because I couldn’t get Rick out of my mind. With school about to end, I had only a few weeks left to get Rick’s attention before it was too late. My dream was to be his date for the prom next month. Brad was quiet and probably very