Lost in the darkness

On my last night run，my headlamp failed me right in the middle joint of Dragon's Back in Shek O Park. I was meant to run with a friend，but I couldn't get out until too late，so finally I was running solo.

Because I love the scenery in this area，I had earlier been taking photos around Tai Tam，and my phone was quickly out of battery then. Dark silence enveloped me. 

Under this dark silence，and coupled with a low canopy of the trees along the trail，I was completely blind. Being on the opposite side from the dimly lit road alongside Shek O Peak，I was literally groping along in the dark.

It is spider season，so as I stumbled down the rocky path，I was spending much energy disentangling webs from my body. My anxiety was rising，and was not helped by the strong feelings that bamboo snakes were surely nearby. 

Suddenly I was sure that a huge spider was now on my cheekbone. I flicked it off，but it flew straight back there. I flicked again，and it came straight back. I finally realised that in fact it was a moth and that it was there to stay a while. 

Progress was slow and by now I was sure I was off the trail. I run this area 3-4 times a month, but it now seemed completely different. 

Fleetingly I felt the moth leave my cheek, and I could just make out its silhouette in the slight moonlight. It flew a few metres and then stopped. As if it is waiting for me.

I moved in the direction it took me, and after a few minutes of descent, I was now back on the recognised trail. The moth rested on my cheek once more, and I was able to make myself slowly down the steps to the main road, and my familiar bus stop.

As the bus arrived, my moth flew high into the air, circling my head once on the way up. I almost imagined a toothy smile as it did so. Thanks Dad, I whispered as I got on the bus. 

*in Chinese myth and cultures, moths are believed to be the souls of your family members passed away.

A real story from my friend Kevin