The Hiker

By Michael J Bryant

James Burton heads out on one of his usual summertime hikes up in the Smoky Mountains. While everything seems normal in the beginning, his hiking trip suddenly turns into anything but ordinary. He quickly finds himself involved in a murder plot, one that even threatens his own life. This story contains drama, romance and murder.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781716130762

Book preview

The Hiker

The Hiker

by

Michael J Bryant

Copyright 2020 Lulu Author, Michael J Bryant

ISBN 978-1-71613-076-2

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form of by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events portrayed in this book are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All contents herein, ideas, fictional events, characters, story lines, and anything else pertaining to this story of The Hiker, belong to the author Michael J Bryant, exclusively written and designed for this book alone.

Written By: Michael J. Bryant

Copyright By: Michael J. Bryant 

Copyright January 31, 2020. All rights reserved.

US Copyright Office Washington, DC  

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this book to all my family for their love and support in helping me to enhance my writing experiences. I also want to thank my country, The United States, for the freedom to write my stories, and it was an honor for me to serve my country of which I am now a proud Vietnam Veteran.

Michael J. Bryant

January 31, 2020

Contents

Chapter 1                                                            The Hikers

Chapter 2                                                            Night Camp

Chapter 3                                                            Campfire Breakfast

Chapter 4                                                            Puddle of Blood

Chapter 5                                                    Return to the Crime Scene

Chapter 6                                                          Safety from the Storm

Chapter 7                                                            Dangerous Places

Chapter 8                                                            Together Once Again

Chapter 9                                                             Skinny Dipping

Introduction

James Burton heads out on one of his usual summertime hikes up in the Smoky Mountains. While everything seems normal and fine at the beginning, his hiking trip suddenly turns into anything but ordinary. He quickly finds himself involved in a murder plot, one that even threatens his own life. This story contains drama, romance and murder.

The Hikers                         Chapter 1

James Burton drove his 2010 Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van up into the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway for a weekend of hiking fun. He recently had converted the cargo van into a fully self-contained camper complete with solar panels and anything he might need for several days off grid camping. Although he did love his van camping, on this trip he would be hiking up through the forest. The hiking trip was already mapped out and after two days of hiking up into the woods, his plan would circle him back around and out to the camper. Although he would still be camping out several nights, only difference this time is he would be finding a suitable basecamp each night before dark to set up a tent.

For this weekend trip, James packed one set of clothes in his backpack, figuring he could just wash things up in the many streams as needed. He was also carrying food, a map and compass, a first aid kit, fire starter, water, and several other supplies including a small light weight pup tent. James always liked to come prepared and he included a small pan or two and utensils in his gear.

Arriving at the destination where his walking trail started, he picked a shaded spot to park. While the area was mostly secluded, he still felt safe enough to leave his vehicle for a few days. Park signs were posted indicating that the area was patrolled which made him feel better. It was early June in North Carolina and the weather was already hot and humid. He could sure feel the heat after shutting off the van and climbing out of the air-conditioned compartment.

What a beautiful morning, he smiled, closing the driver door.

He walked around to the right sliding cargo door where his hiking gear was set. He slipped on his cartridge belt which had some pouches attached, including a hunting knife and a canteen of water. Before putting on his pack, he slid his .38 revolver and a box of rounds into the outside pouch. The pistol was only for self-protection against mountain lions, bears and such.

Thinking for a moment, he then said, Hope I haven’t forgotten anything, looking around the inside of his camper once again.

After putting his pack on and adjusting everything on his body, James walked around to make sure his Transit Connect was all locked up. There was a special pouch on his cartridge belt that he placed his vehicle keys into. The pouch was waterproof so it would keep things dry. He never brought along his wallet but instead, would place his license and credit card in one of the many outside pockets of his backpack. After double checking his position on the map and using his compass, he started off on his hike around eight am.

Starting out, the trail was a clear path for most of the trip that the park rangers must be keeping cleared. He hiked up and down a windy path and even found himself having to carefully climb down between some big rocks at times. The path eventually came down and ran along a nice wide stream. In this area, there were so many green plants, bushes, trees and rock formations surrounding what appeared to be a swimming hole fed by a naturally wide waterfall. Now this was a stunning view beholding only to those who braved the long hike down to it.

Stopping to have a look around, James then said, I have been hiking for hours now and this looks like a beautiful spot for lunch.

There was a rock formation overlooking the wide swimming hole portion of the stream where he could see the beautiful waterfall directly across the water. Looking at his watch it was now a little after mid-day. He pulled off his pack and set it down between some rocks. Next, he pulled off his cartridge belt and even his hiking boots to give his feet a rest. James was very sweaty because of the heat and surrounding humidity. After stripping off his tee-shirt, he started fishing around in his backpack for lunch.

Here we go, he commented, pulling out a small container, Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I can still remember being raised on these.

The sun beating down was very hot as he seated himself on a rock. While sipping some canteen water and eating his sandwich, he couldn’t get over the beauty surrounding him. It looked like an oasis or better yet, paradise. If this wasn’t government property this would be an awesome place to build a cabin, he told himself. Deciding to go for a swim to cool off, he put his now empty container back into his pack. James then went down by the water’s edge and pulled off his shorts and baseball cap. There wasn’t much of a breeze to enjoy but he knew the water would feel nice as he felt overheated at this point. Besides, he just couldn’t resist the beautiful clear water running before him.

Here goes nothing, he commented, now jumping into the water.

This spot was about four feet deep but wide enough to be a large river. James came back up to the surface and was quickly able to stand on the bottom.

After clearing the water out of his eyes and pushing his hair back some, James then