Chapter 23 Andra's Tough Road

Today everyone was enjoying a nice and relaxing hike in the woods. "Nothing like a good hike," Teela said.

"Yes feels nice to be out in the fresh air," Adam said. "I love seeing the beauty of the evergreen forest," he said.

"Me too," Orko said. "We have forests on Trolla and they are nothing like this," he said. "The forests back home are full of trees but the trees on Trolla tend to be very different," he said.

"They sure are," Dree Elle said. "But no matter where in the universe you are forests are beautiful," she said.

"Yes they are," Damien said. "It feels nice do something fun in our free time," he said.

"I know sometimes working most of the day can be quite tiring," Andra said. "But I bet He Man never rests," she said.

"He does rest and relax it is just not often," Adam said. "After all I know He Man better than anyone," he said.

"Let's find a nice place to have our picnic," Teela said.

"That sounds good," Adam said.

"Here is a good place," Orko said.

They all sat down after setting up the blanket and started to eat. Cringer had some food for himself that was brought by Adam.

Everyone was enjoying the quiet. "I am going to check out the area over there I will be back in about 10 minutes," Andra said pointing.

"Do be careful Andra," Teela said.

"I will I can handle it," Andra said. Then Andra headed off and she was looking around. She was very busy at it too. She was wondering what there was to see. She saw a view from a ledge. "What an amazing view I got to show this to the others," she said.

Then suddenly the ledge crumbled and Andra was sent to the valley below.

The others were wondering where Andra was. "It has been 30 minutes," Orko said.

"Yes and she said she would be back in 10 minutes," Dree Elle said. "Maybe she got lost," she said.

"Or maybe Skeletor and his minions captured her," Teela said.

"Or maybe something else bad had happened," Damien said.

"We need to head back to the palace and tell the others to start a search party," Adam said.

"Good idea Adam let's go," Teela said as they headed back to the palace.

Meanwhile Andra came to after falling to the bottom of the valley. "Ugh that ledge gave way, I didn't know it was unstable," Andra said. "That was some fall," she said. "Ouch my leg," she said. She looked at her left lower leg and could see it was broken. Andra found two large branches in her reach the same length as her lower leg and some vines. So Andra prepared for pain and set her leg. Andra the took the branches and vines and made herself a splint.

Then she forces herself up. She held on to something for a while as she hobbled along. Then she saw a very long stick that she could use as a crutch. She picked it up and began to use it to walk. "I got to get out of this valley," Andra said.

Andra walked for sometime before seeing a way out. She started to climb up the slope carefully and got out of the valley. "Now how to get back to the palace?" Andra said. "I am now in a very far off corner in the evergreen forest." she said.

Meanwhile back at the palace. "Andra said she would back in ten minutes and thirty minutes had passed before hand and she was still gone and she hasn't called on her communicator," Teela said.

"We think something must have happened," Adam said. "We need to find Andra," he said.

"You're right we do," King Randor said. "Gather the masters and some of the guards we will search for Andra," he said.

They all headed out to find Andra.

Andra during that time was walking in the forest with her crutch. "Hmm try to look for familiar things." Andra said. She decided to follow the valley from the way she came. This time staying away from the ledge. She was headed towards where she fell. Maybe then she could head back to the Picnic spot and go home.

The others were searching for Andra at the moment. "Where can she be?" Mekkaneck asked.

"Who knows?" Ram man said.

"I will try to look for her," Mekkaneck said moving his head high up. "Hmm too many trees far and near that is mostly what I can see," he said. "I do see a valley, but not much else," he said. He lowered his head back to the normal position.

"I hope she's alright," Man E Faces said.

"Andra can handle herself, after all other than learning about inventions from Man at arms, she also learned about combat," Fisto said. "So she can handle herself," he said.

"I wondered what could've happened," Orko said.

"Hey over here!" Dree Elle called. The others came running. "Look at this ledge it is broken looks like it happen sometime today too," she said. "You don't think Andra fell do you?" she asked.

"That is exactly what I am thinking," Duncan said.

"I will look down in Valley," Buzzoff said.

"As will I," Stratos said. "I will look one way in the valley and Buzzoff you look in the other direction," he said.

"Of course," Buzzoff said and they started searching.

It was starting to get dark. Andra noticed this and found some decent sticks for fire wood. She found water and managed to catch a fish with old string and a piece of fruit. It was good work too. Then Andra started a fire. She began boiling the water like she was taught and cooking her fish.

"I wonder if the others are looking for me?" Andra said as she ate.

Meanwhile with search party.

"It's starting to get dark, we need come back tomorrow when the sun comes up," Man at arms said. "Andra has survival skills, she should be able to take care of herself until morning," he said.

They all reluctantly headed back to the palace.

Andra slept that night after putting out her fire. She didn't want to cause a forest fire. She was wondering how to head back to the palace tomorrow.

After a rough night on the hard ground of the forest. Andra woke up as soon as the sun rose and started to head on her way.

She found the place where she fell and started heading back to the picnic spot. She was doing her best move there. She was still hurt after all.

"I hope Andra's alright," Teela said. They were already headed back out to look for her.

The search party was back in woods. They headed back to the picnic spot so they could head back to the valley.

Andra was almost at the picnic spot when she saw them in the distance. "Hey guys I'm here!" Andra said.

"Andra!" Orko said coming up.

The others came up.

"Your leg is in splint," Damien said. "You're hurt," he said.

"Hurt but alive," Andra said. "I had to spend the night in the forest but other than that I am okay," she said. "I managed to find my way out of the valley and back to here by following the valley so I could get back to here," she said.

"We are sure glad you are okay," Adam said.

"Now let's get you back to the palace and treat that leg properly," Man at arms said.

Once back at the palace Andra now had a plaster cast on her leg. "I am glad to be home," Andra said. "I am just glad I remembered how to survive out there in the woods and how to treat myself when hurt and alone," she said.

"Yes it was very good," Man at arms said. "Now you must rest," he said.

Everyone agreed.

"Hi in today's story you read how Andra got separated from her friends in the woods and got hurt," Man at arms said. "Now getting lost can happen anywhere not just in a forest," he said. "it can happen in many places, like zoos, aquariums, museums, and malls." he said. "It can even happen if you are simply walking around town." he said. "Remember if you get lost find a safe stranger, that would be some who works at the place you are lost, these are people who wear uniforms and name tags," he said. "Or find a security guard or police officer, they will be wearing uniforms too and have a badge," he said. "They know just what to do when a kid is lost," he said. "Just remember if you do go out the best way to avoid getting lost is to stay with your group," he said. "Until next time," he said.