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Towering cliffs framed the entrance, their rugged faces etched with the passage of time. Lush vegetation clung to the rocky walls, casting verdant shadows that danced in the dappled sunlight. A canopy of vibrant foliage arched overhead, creating a tunnel of greenery that stretched before him. The scent of damp earth and fresh air enveloped him, invigorating his senses as he stepped into the embrace of nature.

The sound of rushing water greeted him, the gentle melody of the creek echoing off the canyon walls. A wooden sign marked the beginning of the trail, its weathered surface bearing the name Watkins Glen in bold letters.

With each step, Ethan felt the weight of the world lift from his shoulders, soothing the tension that had been building within his chest. Taking a deep breath of the crisp, forest-scented air, he was glad he went up early for his meeting with Marcus about the pack. It was a welcome break from city life, a chance to reconnect with nature and find solace in its embrace.

Watkins Glen held a special place in his heart, a sanctuary of tranquility that had been a cherished destination for his family throughout the years. He recalled fond memories of hiking along the winding trails, the laughter of his family echoing through the canyon walls.

His footsteps echoed softly against the rocky terrain, and he felt gratitude for the chance to immerse himself in the beauty of the natural world. In the embrace of Watkins Glen, he found solace and renewal, preparing him for the challenges ahead with a newfound sense of strength and clarity.

As Ethan walked through the verdant pathways, his senses heightened by the tranquil beauty surrounding him, he suddenly felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere. A presence lingered behind him, prompting him to turn around. To his surprise, Ji-min stood before him. Ethan’s lips curved into a genuine smile as a moment of disbelief passed between them.

“Ethan? What are you doing here?” she blurted out when she caught up to him.

His smile widened. “Ji-min, what a surprise! I often go on a hike when I’m in the area.”

“But what brought you all the way here? It’s quite a coincidence, don’t you think?”

“Coincidences can be fascinating, can’t they?” he chuckled softly.

“What do you mean?”

He paused and adjusted a well-worn backpack slung over his shoulders. “I grew up in these parts. These mountains hold a special place in my heart.”

“Ah, yes. I remember we talked about this.”

He smiled, his gaze drifting over the view before them. “So, what brings you here?”

“I’m here on a reporting trip. It’s been enlightening, but I hit a dead end. I decided to take a break and get some fresh air.”

“Your thesis?” he asked, motioning for them to continue on the trail. Side by side, the crunch of leaves echoed under their footsteps.

“Yes.” She glanced at him.

I wonder why she is interested in wolves? His gaze drifted into the distance.

He finally spoke up, his voice tinged with curiosity and caution. “You know, Ji-min, connecting wolves to this particular area seems quite challenging. New York, and the Adirondacks in particular, have a long history of human settlement and the eradication of wolf populations. It’s rare to find any traces of their presence in this region.”

Ji-min sighed. “I’m well aware of the challenges, Ethan. The historical accounts have been scarce, and it’s been a struggle to find concrete evidence. But there are anecdotal stories and oral traditions that hint at a connection between wolves and the indigenous people of this land.”

“I won’t dismiss the possibility. History can often surprise us with hidden narratives. Sometimes, what we seek might not be what we find.”

She nodded. “You’re right. It’s crucial to maintain a balance between curiosity and skepticism. I’m going to keep digging, and hopefully, the research leads to something good.”

They continued on the Gorge trail covered in emerald and sapphire shades. Sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting dappled patterns on the moss-covered earth beneath their feet.

“Oh, this is so pretty,” she said, looking as the water rushed by beside the trail. “I’m glad this hike is an easy one. I didn’t bring my hiking boots.”

“Yeah, you should be okay. There are some steps up ahead, but it shouldn’t be slippery today.”

“So, how many times have you hiked Watkins Glen?”

“A lot, especially when I was younger.”

They were at the foot of a stone staircase. “Couch’s Staircase,” she said, reading a marker aloud. She turned to him. “I guess we go up this way?”

“Yup. My cousin and I would come here whenever we were bored. There were plenty of times we would run down these stairs and make people mad,” he laughed.

“Running? Did you guys ever get hurt?”

“Not really. Though I do remember my cousin fell one time by the bottom of the steps.” He laughed at her horrified expression. “It was nothing; he was limping for a little bit.”

“I can’t even imagine! I’ve never broken a bone or really been in the hospital for anything.”

“Me neither. For the most part, it was mostly my cousin getting hurt.”

“Your family is super close?”

“Yes. Aside from my family, our whole community is close. I guess that’s one of the upsides of growing up in a small town. How about you?”

“I grew up in a small town, but it was just me and my parents. No extended family. But I am close to my parents.”

“Having a big family is nice, even with the drama that comes from all the personalities.”

“True. Okay, I need a moment,” she said and sounded breathless. “Oh, the view is pretty. Let’s just say I need to take a photo, and that’s why we’re stopping.”

He smiled, decided not to tease her, and stood by while she took a photo. Before them, the Glen Creek flowed through the gorge, the stone walls shaped by the water. “Okay, it’s posted. Shall we?”

“How into social media are you?” he asked, guiding the way through the well-marked path.

“Apparently, not as much as I should be, according to some of my professors.”

When he looked at her with a questioning look, she replied, “Social media is a whole other thing for journalism, another way to get the news out there. But I’m not into it for that. I just post photos of places or things that I like. It’s not about posting for the sake of the algorithms.”

“So, you’re not an influencer?” he teased.

“Definitely not. I don’t have thousands of followers, and I don’t post photos of myself,” she said with a big smile while looking at him.

“Well, I guess there are many ways to use social media. In your case, for the fun of posting things that interest you?”

“Yeah, I guess. But I’m the exception to the rule. Otherwise, they wouldn’t make hundreds of billions of dollars in that industry,” she said while trying to maneuver over some of the stone steps.

When he extended his hand, he noticed that she hesitated. He had involuntarily reached for her hand like it was the natural thing to do, and he was glad when she grasped his. He helped her down some steps, and then a surge pulsed from where their hands touched. Okay, this has to mean something. She seemed to pause, and he knew she felt it too.

“What else did you do here? It seems like there’s a lot more to do than just hiking?” she asked, her eyes on the trail.

“Well, we would inevitably go camping because our parents couldn’t take any more of us. But it wasn’t a punishment. It was a lot of fun because we would try to outdo each other with cooking.”

“Ooh, that sounds interesting! Good food?”

“Yeah! We were assigned to cook different meals, and I always hoped for breakfast.”

“Oh, yum! Like pancakes, sausage, and eggs?”

“Yup. You like making breakfast too?”

“Yeah. It feels extra special to actually cook a good breakfast, right? It’s not something that you can do every day. Okay, so what are the weirdest burns that you’ve gotten?”

“Burns?” He made a face. Where is she going with this?

“Yes. Like you hit your hand against an oven grate or didn’t properly place a pot holder on a pan?”

“Oh. Hmm. It sounds like you’ve gotten a lot of burns.”

“You could say that! Well, the weirdest one was from pizza.”

“From the pan or the actual pizza?”

She stopped walking. “From the actual pizza.” She held up her right hand and pointed out a faint scar. “I was so hungry and then somehow dropped the slice. And stupidly tried to grab it as it fell. Burned right there by the cheese.”

He pulled her hand close to look at the mark. “That’s from pizza?” He looked up. “You should be more careful.”

He had no idea why, but the thought of her getting hurt didn’t sit right with him.

She pursed her lips and tried to pull her hand away, but he held onto it. “Um, I’ll try to remember that next time,” she said.

He smiled. “I mean it.” He kept his gaze on her while still holding her hand, and then she giggled. But it sounded like she was uncomfortable. Get a grip Sullivan, and don’t weird her out.

She gently pulled her hand out of his.

“I guess we’ll see, huh?” he teased and followed her down the path. She smiled at him and didn’t say anything.

They continued on in a comfortable silence. Okay, she didn’t get upset, so maybe you didn’t weird her out. The creek’s gentle whispers kept them company as they walked beside it.

He stopped. “This is Rainbow Falls.”

She looked up at the cascading water; the waterfall tumbled in shimmering tiers, kissed by the sun’s radiant embrace. “Wow,” she whispered.

“It rained a few days back, so it looks even better than usual.”

The sheer force of the falls sent a soft mist into the air, and the sunlight refracted through the mist, painting the falls in a shimmering palette of iridescent hues. A stone bridge arched gracefully over the rushing waters. Beneath it, the water pooled against the cool stone as the currents washed over polished pebbles.

He watched her reaction, pleased that she liked the view. “It’s something, isn’t it?”

She turned toward him, her eyes wide. “ Something doesn’t even begin to cover it. It’s like a living painting, a portal into another realm.

“Okay, now I really have to take a couple of pictures,” she said, fishing her phone out of her pocket.

He watched her capture the scenic beauty of Watkins Glen through her lens. Her movements were deliberate yet fluid, as she effortlessly framed each shot with precision and care. Her smooth, straight black hair cascaded down her shoulders, framing her heart-shaped face. Against the backdrop of the lush greenery and cascading waterfalls, her clear skin seemed to radiate with an ethereal glow, accentuated by the soft, diffused light filtering through the forest canopy.

As he stood by, he noticed the way her yoga pants hugged her curves in all the right places, accentuating her slender yet shapely figure. Her simple T-shirt, casually paired with a jacket tied around her waist, added to the relaxed and comfortable aura she exuded. A flicker of guilt crossed his mind as he checked her out. He felt a pang of discomfort and quickly averted his gaze. He tried to refocus his attention on the breathtaking scenery surrounding them, hoping to dispel the sense of guilt that had settled over him.