Short story about 3 people stuck on a mountain who luckily found their way off and back to safety.
Three friends—Lena, Jake, and Marco—set off on a weekend hiking trip, eager to explore the towering peaks of the Appalachian Mountains. The weather had been clear when they began, but by midday, clouds rolled in, and the trail began to disappear beneath layers of fog.
Lena, who had been leading the hike, glanced at her map, but the dense mist made it difficult to make out any landmarks. "I think we might’ve missed the path," she said, concern creeping into her voice.
Jake, always the optimist, grinned. "No worries. We’ll find our way back." He squinted into the white void surrounding them. "We just need to keep moving."
But hours passed, and the fog grew thicker. Their phones had no signal, and the temperature dropped. Marco, usually calm, was now visibly anxious. "We should’ve turned around when we first noticed the fog," he muttered, scanning the endless mist for any sign of the trail.
As evening approached, they found a small rock outcropping and decided to set up camp. Huddled together for warmth, they ate the last of their granola bars and tried to stay positive.
"We’ll find our way down tomorrow," Lena reassured them, though her voice lacked conviction.
In the middle of the night, a wind stirred the fog, and the mist began to clear. Lena woke up suddenly, her eyes snapping open. In the distance, she saw a flicker of light. "Guys, wake up!" she whispered urgently. Jake and Marco stirred, their faces pale in the dim glow of the campfire they’d built.
Following the light, they cautiously made their way through the forest. After a few moments, they reached a clearing, where an old ranger station stood—forgotten and surrounded by trees.
Jake grinned. "Well, looks like we found someone after all."
The ranger station was abandoned, but nearby, a trail sign led them to a path they recognized. With renewed hope, they followed it down the mountain, their steps quicker with every passing minute. By dawn, they stumbled into a small village at the base of the mountain, exhausted but relieved.
They collapsed in a café, sipping warm coffee. "Never again," Marco sighed, smiling at his friends. "Next time, we’re sticking to the easy trails."
Lena and Jake laughed, knowing they’d be back—just a little more prepared, and a little more grateful for the safety of solid ground beneath their feet.
