Mason
👤 SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
No orange.
No reflective gear.
Close enough that I could see they were standing still, watching.
I raised my hand, more out of reflex than friendliness.
Hey, I called, forcing my voice to sound normal.
You okay?
The person didn't answer.
Mason's voice stayed low.
Don't wave.
Don't do that.
It's just someone, I said, but I didn't believe it.
The person moved then, not toward us, away.
They stepped behind the trunk and disappeared into the trees on the far side like they'd never been there.
We stood there for a second longer than we should have.
The clearing felt suddenly exposed, like we were the ones on display.
Keep moving, Mason said.
We walked faster.
That night we didn't stop at the planned camp.
We pushed on until we found a spot that wasn't on the map.
A small rise off the trail with thick understory that would hide us from anyone walking past.