Waiting for the Rescue Team

The next several minutes felt much longer than they actually were.

Daniel watched the man carefully while listening for approaching vehicles or rescuers.

The forest, which had seemed peaceful only moments earlier, now felt strangely tense.

Every sound seemed amplified.

The wind moving through the trees.

A distant bird call.

Daniel’s own footsteps shifting against the ground.

He kept talking to the man so he would know someone was there.

The man appeared exhausted and disoriented.

His clothing was torn, and he seemed unable to stand without assistance.

Daniel did not know what had happened.

Had the man fallen?