As the bus rumbled towards the school, Clyde, Stella, Rusty, Liam, and Zach were talking to Lincoln.
"A whole day with him?" Asked Rusty. "Yep. But it'll worth it when we get to Royal Woods Peak." Replied Lincoln.
Lincoln's first period class was going on a field trip to the mountain park near the observatory for a hiking expedition. Lincoln had always wanted to see the park and was pleased to finally get to go. Even if it meant spending the day with his teacher, Mr. Bolholfner.
"Hopefully Chandler won't be much trouble either." Said Stella. "I hope." Said Lincoln.
The bus pulled up to the school and the students disembarked. "Well, I'm off." He said. "Good luck buddy!" Said Clyde. And Lincoln ran to Mr. Bolholfner's portable classroom.
Lincoln arrived in good time and soon took his seat. Mr. Bolholfner eyed him aggressively. "See you finally learned how to tell time." He said sarcastically. Lincoln tried not to make eye contact. Soon, the rest of the students arrived and Mr. Bolholfner started talking.
"Ok, today's the annual trip to Royal Woods Peak. We leave in two minutes and I don't want any funny business. And if you slip up and get yourself hurt, don't come crying to me. Got it?"
The students nodded nervously. "Alright, let's move out!" And the class all walked to the front of the school.
The bus was waiting for them as they got to the curb. Everyone climbed aboard and found a seat. Lincoln sat down in an empty seat and looked around. None of his friends had Mr. Bolholfner.
"Aw what's the matter, you missing the little dork parade you call your friends?" Mocked Chandler. Lincoln frowned. "Don't talk about my friends that way." He growled. "Oh, I'm sorry Lincoln Lame. I meant freak show." And he walked away laughing. Lincoln slid down in his seat. "I don't know who's worse, him of the Hoff."
After an hour, the bus pulled into the parking lot of the mountain park.
"Alright, gather around!" Ordered Mr. Bolholfner. "We're going to be hiking on the "Rocky Pass" trail first. We'll head from there to the visitors center for some grub and then back along the other trails. Understood? Good. Now come on." And Mr. Bolholfner led the kids to the Rocky Pass trail.
Lincoln walked closely behind Mr. Bolholfner. He didn't want to anger him by walking too slow. After about a half hour'a walk, the reached a big airy building. This was the park's visitor center. All the kids sat down to eat. Lincoln quickly ate his lunch and then went outside to look at the scenery. The visitors center sat near a steep cliff that overlooked the valley below. Lincoln could see for miles from up there.
Lincoln was admiring the scenery when he suddenly felt the dirt slide from under his feet! Before he could react, Lincoln's feet slid off the edge! He whipped around and grabbed the top of the cliff with his hands and tried to pull himself up, but he wasn't strong enough!
"Help me!!" He screamed. The ground under his hands was starting to crumble, and there was nowhere else for him to grab!
Then, Mr. Bolholfner appeared. He rolled his eyes when he saw Lincoln. "I told you not to come crying to me if you got yourself into a mess." He peered at the steep cliff. "You'll live. Just stay put when you get down there. We'll be there soon." Lincoln couldn't believe what he was hearing!
"HELP ME UP YOU IDI-!!" But before he could finish his sentence, the ground gave way and Lincoln fell! He bounced off the cliff side and was about to land on a giant pine tree! He fell through the the thick branches when suddenly, "CRACK!!" Lincoln screamed as felt his left leg bend extremely forward after he hit a particularly hard branch just before hitting the ground.
Lincoln'a arms were scratched and his back was sore, but the only major injury was his now very damaged leg. Lincoln looked at his leg and continued to howl in pain. "Somebody help!!" He cried. Suddenly, he heard sirens coming from close by. A park medical truck pulled up. A female ranger climbed out and ran to him. "Ok, don't move. Just stay very still." She carefully picked Lincoln up and placed him into the back of the truck. She pulled out her radio. "Mack! I got the kid who you saw fall. He needs serious medical attention. Get the chopper here to airlift him to Royal Woods general!"
In no time at all, a helicopter arrived and Lincoln was quickly and carefully placed aboard.
Back up top, the class watched as the helicopter flew away. Mr. Bolholfner then felt a ranger grab him by the arm. "You've got a lot of explaining to do." He said as he lead him to the superintendents office. The bus driver was told to take the rest of the kids back to the school while Mr. Bolholfner was taken to the office. As they drove home. The kids could only worry.
Stay tuned for chapter 2!