I sucked my teeth. “But did you put a gun in your back pack?”
“I did, but it’s not for the animals. It’s for any odd human that may come near us and be threatening.”
“And what about the lions and wolves?”
“Usually, they will try to avoid a confrontation.”
“Well. . .I’m still happy you brought a gun.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of us.” He gently squeezed my hand. “Just never run from a lion.”
“Why not?”
“Running may stimulate a mountain lion’s primal instinct to chase.” He guided us deeper onto the trail. “Instead, stand, face the animal, and make eye contact.”
I scanned the low-hanging branches, making sure no mountain lions hid above us. I didn’t know if they climbed trees, but I planned to be on high alert until we left.
The forest surrounded us in a canopy of vining trees.
Cain continued, “Just never crouch down or bend over. Mountain lions don’t recognize standing humans as prey.”
“But if I’m sitting?”
“It would look like you’re a four-legged animal. Prey.”
“Which is why we need a gun.” I glanced over my shoulder and saw the hiking trail behind us.
Cain chuckled.
I looked his way. “What’s so funny?”
A sexy smile spread across his face. “I’m currently the most dangerous being in this forest.”
I considered his response and relaxed. “I definitely believe that.”
“Let’s take in our medicine.” Cain did a huge inhale.
This man is crazy.
Still, I followed and did a big inhale. The scent of pine and earth filled my nose.
That began the journey. Strolling forward, our boots crunched over sticks and foliage in a rhythmic beat. Birds chirped. Their diverse songs mixed and pierced the air. A cool breeze rustled the leaves in the trees. The deeper we entered the tunneled trail, the more I experienced the lush forest.
Every few feet, I touched some of the bark on the trees. I didn’t know why, but it felt good to explore the different textures. Some of the trees were smooth. A few were bumpy. Others ran thick and rugged.
Farther up, the hiking trail wound through thick woods and small rocky outcroppings. In some spots trees bore fruit. The scent of citrus was pungent in the air, filling my senses with joy.
Sunlight shone down onto grass. Wildflowers bloomed in beautiful colors lining the trail. Each bright with varied hues of violet and pink, their puffs floating along with the breeze. A big cluster of yellow flowers scattered throughout the area too.
Cain stopped at a huge termite nest.
“Check this out.” He knocked gently on the brown nest, extracting a few of the tiny creatures.
“What are you doing?”
He popped them in his mouth. “They’re good to eat if you find yourself without food.”
He knocked out several more and offered them to me.
I raised my eyebrows. “Have you lost your mind?”
He winked. “You know I have. Try them.”
“I’ve already had breakfast.”
“Get a bite.”
“We’re both going to end up in the crazy hospital.” A bit hesitant, I shook my head, picked one up, and threw it in my mouth. It was a creepy experience of something crawling on my tongue.
Ewww.
I found the bug and bit into it. A familiar flavor hit my tongue.
He smiled. “What do they taste like to you?”
I swallowed. “Carrots.”
Nodding, he walked off. “Termites are a reliable source of protein. For every 100 grams of termites, you get 14.4 grams of protein.”
I gave him an odd expression. “You just remembered that for the fun of it?”
“More for survival. I’ve been lost in the forest before. And you never know with this world, there could be a widespread disaster where grocery stores are closed.”
“People would loot them.”
“Which would make them go empty fast.”
“Then, it’s time to eat termites?”
“Exactly. Once, I read an article about how eating insects can help solve food and protein shortages.”
“Not one time did I think about eating insects when I would starve on the streets.” I gazed at the ground. “That might have helped back in the day.”
“You had food crawling all around you in Victory Park.” He pointed at a large ant hill. “All you need is something to scoop up a bunch of ants and just like that you have a meal.”
“Ants?”
“Three and a half ounces of ants provide 14 grams of protein and 5 grams of iron.”
“Wow.”
“Only problem is that you should boil them so they don’t have a bitter vinegar taste to them.”
“Have you tried that?”
“Of course.”
“Of course.” I grinned. “What other insects have you eaten?”
“Grasshoppers. The torso has the most nutritional value. It’s best to pull the legs and wings off.”
I scrunched my face up. “Ugh.”
“They’re tasty.”
“I’ll take your word on that.”
“Caterpillars are good too.”
“Oh no. You can’t do that.”
“Why?”
“You’re messing up their dreams to become butterflies.”
Cain shrugged. “They’re full of protein, iron, and vitamin B.”
“What about bees?”
“Hell yes.”
“Slugs?”
Cain licked his lips. “Yummy.”
“Man, that’s so disgusting.”
“Not if you’re starving in the woods.” He led us further down the trail. “You’re not ready for the nastiest one.”