The mountains stretch out as far as the eye can see, full of trees of every shade and lush meadows. Mist is clinging to everything and dancing on the surfaces of sparkling lakes in the rays of a dying sun. Birds are soaring through the air, seeming to touch the clouds; deer are grazing and remain that way as I drive-by, unbothered by the noise.

The sensation of the wind ripping at my hair and biting my face. A comforting warmth of an engine and the faint smell of gasoline, the resonance of it spreading through my bones. The exhilarating feeling that comes with speeding down a flat stretch or finding a new trail. The wonder of where it will take me exciting all on its own. Quading is truly an experience worth the time it takes to get out here.

I start to climb up a rocky cliff face, the tires moving the quad to odd angles as the rocks slip out from underneath them. The engine is roaring in defiance as it works the machine up; I grip the handles and squeeze my legs closer to the sides of the engine. Gritting my teeth, I press the gas a little more and break to the top; I lessen the pressure to avoid racing into a tree.

I breathe in the fresh air deeply, adrenaline racing through my veins; I smile wildly, the thrill of it intoxicating.

Continuing down the trail, I notice that the edge closest to the cliff is jagged from missing gravel. I start to feel uneasy as I go further along; the path is getting more questionable the further I go. It is probably my imagination, but the trees seem to be reaching closer. To make matters worse, it seems to be getting darker faster than it should. I hear the patter of rocks falling off to my right. Slowing down to a stop, I start shifting the quad into reverse, the kick of the gearshift reassuring. Panic at the edge of my mind, though not strong enough for me to lose sense, I start to move backwards.

Crack

The next thing I know, I am falling through open-air. In a dizzying swirl, I make out the quad rolling towards unyielding trunks. 

I curl up with my knees tight to my chest and a hand over my head and neck; I brace for impact.

A reverberation of thunder goes through me; my bones are rattling, my brain is ringing. An overwhelming pain is coming from the direction of my shoulder; nausea rolls through me. The darkness that comes after is a welcome sedative.