Close Call in the Forest
Red revved the engine of his motocross bike, the sound echoing through the dense forest. The sunlight pierced through the thick canopy, creating dancing patterns on the forest floor. His friends had already shot ahead, their bikes kicking up clouds of dirt and leaves. Red, always cautious, kept his helmet securely fastened. The thrill of the ride pumped adrenaline through his veins, but he was always aware of the risks.
As he maneuvered around a tight bend, Red suddenly noticed a group of hikers. He swerved sharply, narrowly missing them. "Watch it!" one of them yelled after him, but Red was already focused on the path ahead, heart pounding from the near miss. A few hundred meters later, he spotted another figure——directly in his path.
Red's heart skipped a beat. With a swift motion, he jerked the handlebars and managed to avoid by mere inches, losing control of his bike in the process. The bike skidded sideways, sending up a spray of dirt and leaves, but Red managed to keep it from crashing. His friends continued riding, oblivious to the close call, but Red couldn't just leave it at that.
He brought his bike to a stop and quickly dismounted, feeling the rush of the incident still coursing through him. "Are you okay?" he called out, jogging over to , who was visibly shaken but silent, eyes wide with shock.
jumped to the ground when Red had almost hit them, and now, without a word, ran towards Red. "I'm really sorry, I didn't see you there!" Red said, removing his helmet to show his sincerity. His face was pale, still processing how close he'd come to causing a serious accident.
stopped a few steps away, panting heavily. Though didn't speak, the expression on their face said it all: a mix of anger, fear, and relief. Red could see tears welling up in 's eyes. "I really didn't mean to—are you hurt?" Red asked, his voice softer now.
continued to stare at him, breaths coming in ragged gasps. Red took a cautious step closer, trying to seem as non-threatening as possible. "I understand if you're mad. That was way too close," he said, genuinely remorseful. "Can I at least walk you to a safer part of the trail?"
Still, remained silent but nodded slightly, the tension between them easing just a bit. Red felt a wave of relief wash over him. "Okay, let's get you out of the way of any more bikes," he said, glancing back down the trail to see if any more riders were coming.
He led to a clearing off the main path, where the sound of the forest was more pronounced—the rustling leaves, the distant calls of birds, and the gentle hum of insects. Red felt the need to fill the silence. "I come out here with my friends to ride, but we'll be more careful from now on. This place is for everyone to enjoy."
finally spoke, voice shaky. "You scared me."
"I know," Red replied, his voice filled with genuine regret. "I'm really sorry. I promise I'll be more careful. Are you sure you're okay?"
nodded, looking a bit more at ease now. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just... be careful."
Red nodded earnestly. "Absolutely. Thank you for understanding. Do you need any help getting somewhere?"
"No, I'll be fine," said, the initial shock starting to wear off.
Red watched as walked away, making sure they were safely out of the path before he returned to his bike. He put his helmet back on, feeling the weight of the lesson he'd just learned. As he started his bike and rode off to catch up with his friends, he couldn't shake the image of 's face from his mind. He knew he had to be more vigilant—not just for his own safety, but for everyone else who shared these trails.
The rest of his ride was much slower, much more careful. Red had always loved the thrill of dirt biking, but now he understood the importance of respecting the space and safety of others. It was a lesson he wouldn't forget.