Mason
👤 SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
It was small, controlled, and it made my stomach roll because it felt like he was reacting to a private thought.
He took another step.
Mason raised the spray.
I'm not kidding.
The man moved faster then.
not charging full speed, but quick enough that it forced Mason's hand.
Mason fired the spray in a wide, panicked arc down the trail.
The orange mist blew in the rain and wind.
Some of it hit the man.
I saw him flinch and turn his face away.
but the rain knocked the spray down fast, and the mist didn't hang in the air like it does on a calm day.
The man stepped back, rubbing at his face with his sleeve, but he didn't fall or scream.
He didn't run away.
He just retreated a few steps, and then stood there again, watching us.
Eyes narrowed now but still steady.
Mason grabbed my arm.
Move.
We ran.
As much as you can run on a slick trail with packs and wet boots.
We half ran, half stumbled forward, away from him, hearts hammering, trying not to fall on roots and break something.