Here is the final chapter in this three-part story.  In case you missed the first two chapters of “Lost in the Woods,” here are the links to them.

• Lost in the Woods, Chapter 1
• Lost in the Woods, Chapter 2

The shadows of the early evening begin to change the look and feel of the woods.  Grandpa Ted has been making steady progress towards the cabin.  He expects to reach it in about an hour.

Without warning, his right foot fails to notice a big hole hidden in the grass.  Down goes Ted in pain and agony!

His ankle feels like it is broken, but he assumes it is more likely sprained.  Standing up very gingerly and a bit off balance, he tests the injured ankle.  It hurts like a son-of-a-gun, but he pushes onward.  Not even an injured leg will keep him from finding Pete and Willy before dark.

Another night sky arrives, and the brothers are still feeling the ill effects of eating too many huckleberries much too quickly.  Willy asks his older brother, “What are we going to do?”

Pete, feeling just as scared, answers back, “We need to keep believing.  Help is coming.”

As the sun sets and darkness curls around the cabin, the brothers look out the open doorway of the cabin.  From the edge of the clearing, a narrow beam of light comes from the woods.  A shadowy man hobbles towards the boys.  Pete yells out, “It’s Grandpa!”

Pete and Willy run out to meet their Grandpa.  They are smiling and talking so fast that Grandpa can barely say a word.  Finally, the reunion settles down, and the grandsons realize their Grandpa Ted is injured.  They take care of him the best they can.

With Grandpa’s help, the boys start a small fire in the fireplace.  They find the food in Grandpa’s backpack, and everyone enjoys a feast of cold beans with fire-grilled Spam from a can.  “The best feast ever!” both grandsons admit at the same time.

The brothers and their Grandpa settle in for a night of sleep in the cabin.  By dawn, all are awake and eager to begin the journey home.  Grandpa’s ankle is badly swollen.  Willy finds a longer, sturdy tree branch—just the perfect tool—for Grandpa to use as a crutch.  Pete will carry the now much lighter backpack.  Together, the grandsons will make sure their Grandpa Ted makes it back home, too.

Following Grandpa’s internal compass, the trio makes steady, yet slow progress in their morning walk towards home.  The love of each for the other will insure all make it back safely.  God has indeed been watching over all three of them.

They finally arrive at home, and Mom and Dad are overjoyed to see their two sons.  Everyone is exhausted and in need of some much needed warm food, a shower, and some rest.

The time is 11:52.  Grandpa Ted promised to have the boys home back by Noon, and he is good to his word.

At last report, Grandpa is mending at home for several weeks.  The badly swollen ankle is indeed broken!

Photo by Kat Jayne on Pexels.com

This is the second chapter of a three-part story.  If you missed the first chapter, follow this link to catch up on the story:  Lost in the Woods, Chapter 1.

With daylight growing shorter, Grandpa Ted gathers a few necessary supplies for his rescue mission.  He quickly and efficiently fills a medium-size backpack with water, food, matches, first-aid supplies, and a flashlight.

As he departs, Ted tells his daughter, “We’ll be back by Noon tomorrow.”  She and her husband hope so, yet they feel plenty of apprehension running through their already frail emotions.

Unaware about Grandpa being on his way, Pete and Willy are growing restless.  Having no food or water, the brothers decide to venture out from the cabin—but not too far.  As they search for anything to quench their thirsts or fill their empty stomachs, the boys cannot help but think of their dire situation.

With his intimate knowledge of the woods, Grandpa Ted hopes his grandsons have found the old cabin.  He knows it will provide them with basic shelter as well as a safe refuge.

Moving as quickly as his ancient legs can walk, Ted soon realizes he will need to pace himself.  His 63-year old body begins to remind him that he is no longer a young man.

The brothers discover a creek during their search, and they bury their faces in the cool water for several long drinks.  Up ahead along the creek, Pete spots some bushes which are loaded with wild huckleberries.

The boys plunge into the bushes as their hunger screams for more and more huckleberries.  Eating too quickly, they consume far more berries than their stomachs can safely digest.  Feeling sick, the brothers finally make it back to the safety of the cabin—looking pale and ready to drop.

Photo courtesy of The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington.

Stay tuned for the final chapter.  Be prepared for a few twists in the action as Grandpa Ted and his grandsons hope to be reunited.

Pete and Willy can sometimes be adventurous boys.  Being ages ten and eight, they never stop finding excitement to fill up their lives while bringing plenty of anxiety to their parents.

The boys slip away from home one night for another adventure.  Taking a flashlight, they plan to wake-up all of the “critters” in those nearby woods.

Morning arrives, and the boys’ disappearance is noted by two very distraught adults.  The boys’ parents find a note from the brothers.  At least the fearless duo felt the need to inform Mom and Dad about their trip into the woods.

During the night, the brothers’ fortunes have not gone well.  Barely into the journey, the flashlight’s beam grows dimmer and finally dark.  The boys realize they should have been better prepared before departing on their journey.  A brief thunderstorm adds to their misery.  Now lost in the darkness, the wet and chilled boys begin to feel their enthusiasm fading by the minute.

Willy tells Pete, “We’ve really messed up now.”  The brothers stumble, and sometimes crawl, through the dense forest under a dark, cloudy, and moonless sky.

Finally, their fortunes change just a smidgen.  They discover a run-down cabin in a small clearing.  No lights, no heat, and no food—the boys at least have found some shelter for the rest of the night.

Back home, a frantic morning phone call brings Grandpa Ted to the boys’ home.  Ted consoles his worried daughter and her equally concerned husband, as he tells them, “I’ll find the boys.”

Ted grew up in these woods, and he knows every square mile.  He promises to locate the boys as quickly as possible.  “We’ll be back before Noon tomorrow,” Ted says in a reassuring voice filled with total confidence.

Meanwhile, the two brothers have made it through the night.  The old, abandoned cabin is not much of a place, but at least it provides Pete and Willy with a roof over their heads.

Remembering some wise words from their Grandpa, the boys realize they must stay put.  With a morsel of confidence, Pete tells Willy, “Help is on the way!”

Photo by Spencer Selover on Pexels.com