The Case of the Banishing Spell by Amorette Anderson

Author:Amorette Anderson [Anderson, Amorette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Amorette Anderson
Published: 2018-11-21T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

I can see Never Summer Peak. It towers over the east end of town like a rocky sentinel, guarding Hillcrest from the threat of tomorrow’s rising sun. It’s afternoon now, so the sun has slipped by for the day, but I know that tomorrow morning, Never Summer Peak will cast a shadow over Hillcrest once again.

I’ve heard of at least one trail that leaves town and winds its way up towards the Never Summer summit. I’ve never hiked it.

It’s appropriately named Never Summer Peak Trail, which is easy to remember. Where does it start?

For twenty minutes, I ride along the roads on the east edge of town, looking for a sign that points to the Never Summer Trailhead.

I’m glad that I’m dressed in black pants, a hoodie, and my high tops. I’ve been wearing lots of dresses lately, and a pair of new-to-me cowboy boots that I bought from the Antique Haven, neither of which are ideal for biking. Dresses can create too much of a breeze, and my cowboy boots tend to slip off of my pedals at less-than-awesome times. Come to think of it, is there ever an awesome time for your boot to slip off of your pedal?

Exactly. No.

I spot a trail sign and stand up on my pedals to gain some momentum up a narrow, one-way street. As I ride, pavement turns to dirt, and the street becomes even narrower.

And bumpier.

The houses along the side of the narrow street get progressively farther and farther apart, and then stop altogether. After about a quarter of a mile of riding, I reach a sign that states “Welcome to the Never Summer Peak wilderness area”. Beyond it, the narrow, bumpy dirt road dwindles into nothing but dirt single-track.

I wish I had a mountain bike.

My town cruiser will not be able to handle the steep, winding trail ahead of me.

There’s only one way for me to proceed: By foot.

I dismount my bike and lock it to a sapling next to the welcome sign. Then I start to hike.

Now, I’ve grown up in Hillcrest, so I know a thing or two about hiking. Our small town is surrounded by wilderness, so it’s an activity that nearly all of us are raised on, from preschool on up.

I know that I’m supposed to start early.

I’m well aware that I should know the area, be with someone who does, or bring a map.

I’ve been told a thousand times that it’s best to wear layers.

And of course, I know that I should bring plenty of water.

But just because you know something, does it always mean that you do it? I mean, I also know that I’m supposed to eat green leafy vegetables and floss my teeth every night, yet I survive mostly on cereal and baked goods from Annie’s cafe, and I’m lucky if I floss three nights out of the week.

Okay. Fine. One night.

I’m working on it.

As I walk down the trail, I start to think about all of the ‘rules’ of hiking that I’m currently disregarding.

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