"You like hiking, right?"

"It depends. It can't be anything too strenuous though," I replied.

After half an hour, we pulled up to the side of the road in the middle of the mountain. The place looked a little sketchy but since Kauli suggested this place and he was a local, it must have great views. We both climbed out of the car. I made sure that I had my water bottle in my backpack and my cellphone in my pocket. I doubled checked my shoelaces.

"Ready?" Kauli asked, standing at the front of the truck.

"Yes."

"This way then."

We walked to the entrance of the dirt path that led up into the mountain. There was nothing but tall grass and trees around us. I swallowed, looking at the elevation gain up the mountain. Taking a deep breath, a voice told me I can do this. I didn't travel eight hours for nothing.

Kauli went first and I slowly followed after him. The terrain started off fairly smooth, just a beaten dirt path with very little bumps and obstacles. We stopped a few times so I can take some pictures.

"My turn to ask you a question," I asked.

"Sure," he said in a sulky tone.

"Do you not like Americans?" I didn't to be rude or blunt, but I had to know. Most countries don't have a good view of the USA so I just wanted to understand why and what I can do to fix this unpopular opinion of us.

"Why do you want to know?"

"It's a simple question with a simple answer, yes or no. I promise I won't judged you."

"People who ask questions like that are exactly the kind of people who do."

"I didn't say you were. I only asked because I get this feeling you don't like Americans, or people from the country I come from."

He stopped, and I walked into him, throwing me off my feet.

"Don't ask such a racist question if you don't know anything about me." His tone caught me off guard along with his cold glare.

"I'm sorry if what I said made you uncomfortable. Really."

He helped me up to my feet and his expression softened as his anger slowly subsided. "Don't ever ask me that question again."

"I won't. I apologize again."

We continued on the path in silence. Kauli walked faster now, increasing the distance between us. We didn't take any breaks and my pace slowed down, but he kept going, didn't even bother to turn around and check. He still must be mad at me. What I asked must have triggered something in him.

After a couple of minutes, I stopped to take a quick picture on my phone of the valley below and when I turned around, he was out of my sight. I knew he was still close by—he couldn't have gotten far. He probably needed some time by himself to let off some steam—he seemed like that type.

So far, I had not seen one person on this dirt path—it just be a local secret. I took more deep breathes as I trudged on, hoping there wouldn't be anything that would attack me in these parts of the world. I don't think there are any big predators in Tahiti—are there?

Mia, stop scaring yourself. Nothings going to happen to you. You got yourself in this situation. You can get yourself out.

Being alone in a city was ok, but being alone out here on an island and in a forest I wasn't familiar with scared me. I haven't had a panic attack in two years, and I don't plan on having one here. The path divided into two paths and I wasn't sure which one to take.

Left or right?

And where was Kauli? Doesn't he know I wasn't behind him anymore? That idiot.

"Kauli!" I called out but no answer. In the end, I chose the right path, hoping it'll take me in the right direction. I had already exhausted all my water by now being so thirsty.

I moved on, but a terrible feeling nibbled at my thoughts again.

This forest was safe, right? I've head of people going missing and I never thought it could happen to me.

My heart beat thumped in my chest and I felt each one more and more intensely. I began to feel as if I couldn't breathe even though I was taking in deep breathes each time.

Shit.

All the energy in my body felt like they were being drained from my body, and my legs shook and gave out as I dropped onto my knees crawling.

I felt it coming.

A sense of impending doom—the worst feeling in the world.

I thought about my father back home in Denver. Of what he would do without me. How would he continue on?

No, Mia. Pick yourself up.

I tried standing up but my legs felt like jelly and gave out. Powerless, I gathered my knees to my chest and stared at the ground blankly, concentrating on taking one breath at a time and thought about my dad, my mom, the last memories we had together.

Footsteps sounded from a few feet away.

"Mia?" Kauli's voice sounded down the path. He came over to me and knelt down. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am. I just stopped to take a break."

"Don't lie to me."

"Does my face say it all?"

Kauli nodded.

"Okay, I just had a mini panic attack. I'm fine now though."

"I'm sorry. I didn't realized until I turned around and you were gone."
He noticed my empty bottle. "Would you like some water?"

"If you don't mind."

He opened his water bottle and handed it to me along with an energy bar which I gladly accepted. "Thank you, Kauli. And again I'm sorry for before."

"It's alright. I'm sorry too. I can be a jackass sometimes."

We both laughed.

I held out my right hand. "Mia, nice to meet you."

"Kauli, same to you."

We smiled at each other—his expression completely the opposite than before when he was angry.

"Come on, let me help you up." His hands took mine and he pulled me up to my feet. "We're almost to there, just like ten more minutes. You think you can do it?"

I nodded.

After a few minutes up the dirt path, we made it to the scenic lookout. It was worth the pain to get here.

The beauty of Teahupoo glistened under the cloudless sky. This place was truly magical.

I walked over near the edge and absorbing all this surreal beauty in silence.

Kauli came and stood next to me. "I told you it was beautiful."

I smiled at him. "Thank you for bringing me here."