Last life, my wife Jessica’s childhood friend Marcus and I both fell into a snake pit. Seeing my severe injuries, Jessica rescued me first. But by the time she went back for Marcus, he had already been bitten to death by venomous snakes. From that day on, my wife hated me to the core. A month later, I was chained in a basement, hundreds of venomous snakes crawling all over the floor. I screamed for help, but Jessica’s chilling voice echoed from outside the door: “You killed Marcus, Alex. Now, you’ll know what it feels like to be bitten to death by venomous snakes.” In the end, I was bitten by hundreds of snakes and devoured completely. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day of the accident. Sharp pains shot through my body. I slowly opened my eyes, finding myself at the bottom of a cliff in the forest. If not for the soft, muddy ground beneath me, I would have been shattered into a thousand pieces. I was a guide at Mount Rainier National Park. Last time, during a rescue mission, I sustained a severe back injury. The doctor ordered complete bed rest. I should have been recovering in the dorms, but my wife—Jessica, captain of the park’s search and rescue team—insisted I act as a private guide for her childhood friend, Marcus. I was furious. “My back isn’t healed yet, and you want me to take someone into the mountains now?” “Alex, I wouldn’t be asking if Marcus’s original guide hadn’t gotten injured and couldn’t go. The doctor said moderate walking would be good for you, and it’s just a regular trail anyway,” Jessica explained. I was livid. “No way,” I fumed. “Then we’re done! We’re getting a divorce!” she snarled. I had no choice but to compromise. In my previous life, I led Marcus along a designated safe trail in the park, but he snuck off into a restricted, wild area when I wasn’t looking. That place, I knew, was crawling with venomous insects, had treacherous terrain, and was full of hidden dangers. I couldn’t just abandon him, so I had to chase after him. We reached a broken cliff edge, and Marcus pointed down, claiming he saw someone at the bottom. As I leaned over to look, he shoved me violently, catching me off guard. “Die, Alex! Once you’re gone, Jessica and I can finally be together!” Thankfully, the cliff bottom was soft earth, and I survived. Enduring the agonizing pain, I groped around the ground, covered in rotten leaves, for a good half hour. Finally, I found my GoPro action camera. Last time, I was too focused on saving myself after waking up, and only realized I’d lost the camera after being rescued. Without the recording, Jessica refused to believe me, no matter how much I explained. I carefully checked the GoPro; it wasn’t damaged. I breathed a sigh of relief. It was a professional habit of mine to always record when providing one-on-one guide services, just in case any disputes arose. I was certain Marcus must have scouted this route with his previous guide before trying to ambush me in the wilderness. But he overestimated himself. Mount Rainier’s old-growth forest was a labyrinth. Even after many trips, it was easy to get lost, let alone without a guide. That’s why he ran into trouble. I quickly bandaged my injured leg at the bottom of the cliff and immediately started looking for a way out, relying on my memories from the last life. This time, I wanted nothing more to do with Jessica. I would never call her for help. Reaching the crooked tree I remembered, two paths lay before me. Last time, I’d chosen the left, gotten lost, and had no choice but to call Jessica. This time, I picked the correct path on the right. After about two miles, a sudden chill permeated the air ahead, followed by a layer of grayish-white mist rising from the ground. I quickly retreated. These were toxic fumes from the wilderness marshland, and inhaling too much could be fatal. I was forced back to the crooked tree. Checking the time, it was already past 3 PM. The mountains get dark early; it’s practically night by 5 PM. The forest at night is teeming with venomous creatures, wild animals, and the temperature plummets. Hypothermia would be deadly. Reluctantly, I had to take the same old path as last time. After walking for over an hour, the sky grew noticeably darker. I climbed a tall tree to search for a phone signal, my battery now at 2%. Luckily, just like in my previous life, I managed to connect with Jessica at the last moment. “Jess, I’m in trouble! I’m in the park’s southeast section, about six miles upstream from Mirror Lake. Get here fast!” I yelled frantically. “You, an experienced wilderness guide, can’t find your way out? You malicious jerk, taking Marcus into the restricted wilderness! Were you trying to kill him? Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. Stop pretending. I’ll deal with you when you get out. Right now, I’m going to save Marcus!”
With that, Jessica hung up. I froze. What just happened? Last time, she had definitely come to rescue me first. And she hadn’t said anything like that before. After a moment of stunned silence, it hit me. Jessica had also been reborn. This time, she chose to save Marcus first. I wanted to call the park’s emergency rescue center, but my phone had already died. A wave of dread washed over me. Strange, gnarled trees surrounded me, and rustling sounds came from the shadows. I couldn’t waste any more time; I had to get out. At this point, I was completely lost, but I pushed forward stubbornly. The pain in my injured leg had faded into numbness. As I walked, the sky completely darkened. I was utterly exhausted. The water and food in my backpack had been consumed by Marcus shortly after we entered the restricted area. I collapsed on the ground, gasping for air. The temperature dropped to below zero. Silver-green, eerie lights gleamed in the tree branches—the eyes of nocturnal birds, staring intently at me. In the distance, an unknown beast howled. Despair washed over me. I wondered if I would make it out alive. Just then, a few beams of flashlight pierced through the trees… It was the search and rescue team. “Alex? What are you still doing here?” The two team members who arrived were Ben and Rick, from my wife’s team. “Ben, Rick, thank goodness. Help me get out,” I said weakly. “But we have a mission. The captain ordered us to search for Marcus,” Ben said. “Are you just going to leave me to die?” I challenged. Just then, Ben’s satellite phone rang. It was Jessica. “Have you found Marcus?” “Captain, we haven’t found Marcus yet, but we found Alex. Should we bring him out first?” “Ignore him! He’s just trying to delay you, to stop you from saving Marcus. Let him fend for himself. You two, search downstream from Mirror Lake immediately!” Jessica’s voice was filled with urgency. “Ben, Rick, I really can’t go on. Can one of you take me out first, and the other continue searching for Marcus?” I pleaded. “Alex, rescue team regulations require us to operate in pairs. It’s too dangerous to go alone,” Ben explained. “We all know you and Marcus don’t get along, but this time you went too far. How could you take him into the restricted wilderness? You know better than anyone how dangerous it is there,” Rick said, defending Marcus. “Rick’s right, Alex. You really messed up this time. If something happens to Marcus, you’ll be legally responsible.” “Besides, how did you even get lost? You’re a guide here, you should know the terrain better than us.” I was a hiking guide for regular trails in the park, not a wilderness survival expert. “Alex, stop faking it.” “I’m not faking it! Can’t you see my leg is injured?” I pointed angrily at my blood-stained pant leg. Ben looked at my injury and said, “Alright, how about this? We’ll go search for Marcus first, and you wait for us here.” Wait? How long would I have to wait? If Marcus was bitten by a snake, they’d call for a helicopter extraction on the spot. Would they even remember to come back for me then? “Leave me some water, food, and a spare jacket. I’ll walk out myself.” It was better to rely on myself than to beg others. Self-rescue was better than waiting. After getting the supplies, they continued downstream towards Mirror Lake. I put on the thick jacket, drank some water, and ate an energy bar. I felt some of my strength return. Walking alone in the wilderness at night was too dangerous. I built a small bonfire and stayed on edge, not daring to sleep. Around 6 AM, faint morning light filtered through the trees, and I set out again. After a grueling six hours, I finally saw the park trail markers. The moment my guard dropped, the excruciating pain in my leg and extreme exhaustion hit me simultaneously. My vision went black, and I collapsed at the exit.
When I woke up, I found myself in the community hospital near the park. “Alex, want some water?” “Paul?” It was my colleague and good friend, Paul. He’d fortunately found me unconscious at the trail exit and brought me here. “How did you end up in the restricted wilderness?” Paul asked, puzzled. “It’s a long story.” Just then, Jessica’s voice echoed from the hallway: “Which room is he in?” Paul immediately went to the door. “Captain, Alex is in here.” The hospital room door was open. I looked at Jessica; her eyes were chillingly cold. “Captain, Marcus is in room 8.” “How’s his condition?” “Nothing serious, mainly hypothermia.” “Good.” Jessica turned directly and headed for room 8. Paul was utterly shocked. “Your wife… she’s not coming in to see you?” I offered a bitter smile, offering no explanation. The next day at noon, I saw Jessica walking down the hallway, carrying a takeout container. She didn’t even glance into my room, as if I didn’t exist. That insulated container was mine; I’d bought it. I used to often bring food to Jessica at the search and rescue station. Now, she was using my container to bring food to someone she cared about. The irony stung. Around ten at night, just as I was getting ready to rest, Marcus pushed open the door and walked in. “What do you want?” A malicious smirk played on his lips. “I never thought you’d be so tough, surviving a fall from that cliff.” “Are you going to turn yourself in to the police, or should I call them to arrest you?” “Hahaha, evidence? You’ve got nothing but words! Who’s going to believe you?” “The truth always comes out eventually.” “The truth? The truth now is that you, Alex, out of jealousy, tricked me into the restricted wilderness with ill intent. I barely escaped with my life.” “Oh, and by the way, aren’t you feeling pretty miserable and wronged right now? Jessica chose to save me first, not you,” he said smugly. After the torment of my previous life, my heart had already hardened towards Jessica. If not for the toxic fumes, I would never have called her for help. “Are you done? Get out if you are,” I said coldly. Just then, steady, hurried footsteps echoed from the hallway—I knew them too well. It was Jessica. Suddenly, Marcus raised his hand and slapped himself hard! Smack! After the crisp sound, he crumpled to the floor, looking at me with tear-filled eyes. “Alex, Jessica and I are just friends who grew up together; nothing has ever crossed the line! If you don’t believe me, fine, but how could you hit me?” The door to the private room was flung open. Jessica dropped the bag of takeout she was carrying and rushed over to help Marcus up, her face filled with concern. “Alex, you evil bastard! Marcus was right; you actually hit him? Don’t you know he’s just been through a dangerous ordeal and is still very weak?” “He’s weak after an ordeal, and I, after falling from a cliff, am perfectly fine, I suppose?” I retorted. “You brought it on yourself! If you hadn’t harbored malicious intent and lured Marcus into the restricted wilderness, none of this would have happened!” “You believe everything he says?” “Yes! Marcus never lies!” “Fine, fine, fine. I can’t be bothered to argue with you two. You two truly are a match made in heaven. Both of you, get out. I don’t want to see you,” I pointed to the door. “My face hurts so much…” Marcus clutched his cheek, tears streaming down, his voice brimming with false grievance. Jessica’s rage instantly reached its peak. She took a step forward and slapped me hard. The blow made my vision go black, and I stumbled, falling to the floor. The back of my head hit the sharp corner of the bedside table with a sickening thud. Excruciating pain exploded, and warm liquid immediately seeped from my hair. I instantly lost consciousness.
After I was moved from the emergency room, the doctor told Jessica, who had rushed over, that I had a moderate concussion, accompanied by a scalp laceration, and needed to be hospitalized for observation for potential complications like intracranial hemorrhage. “Just rest and recover. When you’re discharged, we’ll discuss our issues,” she said, her tone cold and business-like. “You still care if I live or die?” I laughed sarcastically. “At least legally, I’m still your wife,” she replied stiffly. Her words were deeply ironic. In my previous life, she had locked me in a snake-infested basement, despite my severe injuries, letting me be bitten to death and devoured. This time, she was talking about legal obligations. After she left, I immediately used the hospital phone to contact my lawyer. Reborn, I absolutely wanted no more ties with Jessica. After being discharged, I returned to our shared apartment, opened my laptop, and began drafting the divorce petition. Around ten at night, Jessica returned. “I have something to tell you.” We had both spoken at the same time. “You first,” I said. “Tomorrow, you’ll come with me to see Marcus. You will offer a sincere apology in person and ask for his forgiveness,” she commanded. I almost laughed out loud. “Are you insane? You want me to beg for his forgiveness?” “And why shouldn’t you? I’ve told you countless times, Marcus and I are just friends! I think of him as a younger brother! You’re just narrow-minded, with a dirty mind, always twisting our relationship with your sordid thoughts!” “Are you sure you only see him as a ‘younger brother’?” I took a step closer. “Which ‘younger brother’ calls you at midnight to ‘fix a lightbulb’ in his apartment? Which ‘younger brother’ curls up in your arms in a tight tank top and shorts, watching horror movies after he hears I’m away on business?” A flicker of shame, quickly replaced by anger, crossed her face at being exposed. “No matter how you try to twist it, you lured Marcus into the restricted wilderness this time and almost got him killed. That’s a fact! Don’t you owe him an apology?” She raised her voice, trying to overwhelm me with sheer volume. I was utterly enraged. I slammed the printed divorce papers onto the coffee table in front of her and roared, “Who was trying to kill whom?! See for yourself!”
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