The Journey To An Unknown Destination

The group of college students were quietly walking. No one was speaking. They all were lost in the magnificent beauty of their surrounding. The only sounds that could be heard were of their footsteps. Occasionally, they would hear the sound of someone who stepped on a dry crispy leaf. The birds were chirping and flying around from one tree to another.

Cool breeze was blowing and the parched leaves rustled among themselves. Tiny streaks of light fluttered through the gaps in the leaves and created a peaceful environment. Blocks of clouds were lazily flying in the sky and moving along with the wind. The sun was warm and shining brightly.

Emily inhaled the fresh air and let out a long sigh.

I love it here, it's so peaceful. We should definitely come here more often. I just wish... Linda was here as well. Walking beside me... Both of us would have been enjoying the view in silence. I... miss her... A lot!

Emily started thinking about Linda. She was dreamily looking ahead of her. Her expression slightly sorrowful.

Cyril, who was walking on her right, stole a glance at Emily. Her side profile was really delicate. Her jaw was neatly outlined and her small concave nose was lightly scrunched up, as if she would cry any minute. Her shoulders were drooped, as she stared at her feet and kept on walking.

"Not enjoying, are you?" Cyril gave a little smile and asked her quietly, brushing his shoulder against hers. Emily sighed and softly chuckled. "That's not the case, really. It's just that..." Emily stopped midway, embarrassed to tell him how she felt, thinking that he would laugh at her. "It's okay, you can tell me. I won't laugh." Cyril said making a straight face. Emily was somewhat shocked about how he guessed what she was thinking but, couldn't help but laugh at how he was trying to cheer her up.

"It's just that, I really miss Linda. You know she is my best friend and I feel lonely without her. She is busy with her stuff, and I am busy with my own stuff. We would do almost everything together, so I'm feeling forlorn without her by my side." Emily mumbled.

"Ah... I get it... I understand, and it's okay to feel this way. I also miss a few people in my life..." Cyril exhaled faintly. "Oh... Everything okay?" Emily turned her face towards him and asked in slight worrying tone.

"Hmm..." Cyril hummed in a tone which hid his sorrow. He did not want to tell her about his past. He doesn't want anyone to know about his past. Shrugging those old memories out of his mind, he smiled and subtly slid his hand in hers, interlocking their fingers.

Emily's face started to burn and she hastily looked away, acting as if nothing unusual happened. Cyril cracked a smile, his heart beating irregularly.

Aiden, who was walking a few steps ahead of them, was unaware of the situation behind him as he enjoyed the view, humming a melodic tune under his breath.

The view was wonderful and they all walked for an hour, until Wilson turned around and announced a little break so that they could rest and then head back to their camping area. All of them found a place to sit and settled down.

"Alright everyone, since we are here and resting for a bit. Let's do an activity, which is really essential for you all to know during your stay outdoors. That is, how to start a fire!" Wilson said standing up and approaching them all. He searched the surroundings for a while, gathered a few twigs, dried leaves and a few other items lying here and there to start a fire.

"Gather round everyone! Just watch and learn. When we head back to the camp, you all will start your own fire after evening. So carefully watch each and every step." Wilson said and started to explain while at the same time describing through his actions.

Rubbing two dry sticks together over dried grass and leaves, at a 30 degree angle, he was soon enough able to start a tiny flame of fire, which he lightly blew on and inserted more dried material which he had collected. Finally he was able to turn that tiny flame into a big fire around which he placed stones and decorated it a bit.

All of the students started to laugh and cheer for Wilson who proudly stood up, sweating profusely after all that hard work. "And that's how you start a fire!"

They all chatted among themselves for some time, before Ellen and Wilson started to gather them to head back to their camping area. "Everyone here? No one is missing, right?" Ellen and Wilson asked again and again, until they were satisfied and began to make their way back on the same twisty, rocky track.

Traversing for about another hour, they were back to their camping area. Emily looked at the time on her wristwatch, it was almost five o' clock and the sun was about to set. Since winters were approaching, the sun would set early.

It usually snows in November in Yosemite National Park, meaning that snowfall would be starting from next month and the weather these days would be quite cold, especially at night. While the daytime would be nice and cool.