One activity that everyone (apart from me) looks forward to at camp is the Quest (or ''kvest'' if pronounced in Russian). This basically consists of 2 teams running non-stop through all of nature's chaos to the finish line by following clues from one point to the next and taking creative photos. In sort, the team that completes the quest the quickest and takes the most creative pictures wins.
Anyway, this year they wanted to do it in the evening. I went along with an positive attitude, “Maybe you'll like it this year, Laura. Maybe you'll be able to do it this year.” Ha. Not only were the clues our youth leader set up at each point unclear but it got dark much quicker than expected. Typical Laura dressed much too warmly for a running game and I quickly became pretty miserable.
Thankfully, there came a point not far into the quest where we had to change course because of starting so late. Our team had left first and the second were right on our heels. We decided to retrace our steps, meet up with the other team and finish the quest all together because otherwise it would take too long (which was pretty pointless considering the actual aim of the quest: to race each other). Realising that the whole thing wouldn't be over any time soon (it was already about 10pm) I decided to head back to camp.
I was the only person who wanted to do so, so I borrowed someone's torch and headed back to the campsite as it was only a 20 minute walk. It was dark but I'm not afraid of the dark so I was fine. An abandoned village surrounds the campsite on one side and this where the quest started off. Walking passed all the those deteriorated houses was a bit creepy so I hurried along as quickly as possible singing ''Cast Your Burdens Unto Jesus'' to block out any scary figments of my imagination (#YouKnowYoureAChristianWhen).
Jst as I arrived at the last houses of the little village just before the campsite, a dog that was loose on the road started barking at me. Initially I thought it was within its owner's gates so carried on walking... until it started running towards me. The bark was more of a yap so I could tell the dog wasn't big but that didn't matter. I don't like dogs, especially guard dogs.
Visions of it jumping up and ripping my face to shreds flashed across my mind as I hurriedly turned my torch off. It got closer and closer and I began to panic more and more. Should I run away? No, it would chase me. Should I face it? No, it would know I was afraid and bite me. I dove into a nearby bush. I sat there while it barked at me through the leaves.
Now I had no phone and it was dark. The others weren't going to return that way and if I got lost they would have no idea where I was. I was afraid the I would stay in that bush all night. What would I eat? Would I be able to sleep? Would they send a search party out for me? I imagined a myriad of helicopters circling the surrounding forests with thermal imaging technology and megaphones shouting my name trying to look for me.
I started praying (I mean, there is nothing else to do in such a situation - I am only a helpless kid) and I remembered a piece of sage advice I had received awhile ago concerning dogs: if you shout at a dog and hold a stick it will not hurt you. I groped around the bush for a stick and found one behind me. It was pretty frail and pathetic but it would do the trick (hopefully). I sat at the entrance of the bush that I had created when I dived into it and an unusual surge of confidence overcame me. I emerged from the bush stick in hand, bellowing at the dog. I must have sounded like a complete madman. Thankfully the dog took off and although still yapping and barking it was a good 50 metres away from me.
What now?
I didn't want to carry on forward and walk past it in case it tried to bite me near its house. It was still barking at me and if there is one sound the turns my blood cold it's the sound of a dog barking. So I ran back the way the others went. I ran and I ran and I prayed that I would catch up with them and not get lost. I don't think I have ever run like that before in my life.
Thankfully several people (and eventually everyone) decided to turn back to return to camp – they would complete the quest in daylight – and I met them on the way. I was out of breathe and my vest, top and hoodie were drenched with sweat. I told them what happened and we walked back all together. By the time we walked past the houses where the dog had chased me it was locked up behind its owners gates.
And that is why I am not overly keen on dogs. Call me dramatic, but this not my first horrid experience with dogs. They just seem to have it out for me, is all.
Have you had any scary/weird experiences with dogs or other animals? Comment below and tell me your stories!
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