The trip that didn't go as Planned (F/QS/GRIM)

[xakera111]

Meet Zhang Mei, a 32-year-old travel blogger from Shanghai, China. Known for her captivating writing and breath taking photography, Zhang Mei has gained a loyal following across the country. Her blog is a go-to source for readers who are eager to experience the world through her eyes, as she combines detailed travel tips with personal stories and cultural observations.

With a background in literature and a career that began in freelance journalism, Zhang Mei discovered her true passion lay in travel. Over the years, she has visited over 30 countries, writing about her experiences in a way that deeply connects with her audience. Her readers love her thoughtful reflections, vivid descriptions, and ability to make them feel like they’re right there with her on her journeys.

Now, Zhang Mei is preparing for an exciting new chapter: a trip to England. She plans to explore both the big cities and the small villages of the English countryside. From the historic streets of Oxford and Cambridge to the charming villages of the Lake District, Zhang Mei will immerse herself in British culture. Her followers are eager to see her take on iconic British traditions like afternoon tea, explore famous landmarks such as Stonehenge and the Tower of London, and uncover lesser-known local treasures.

As she travels, Zhang Mei will continue to inspire her readers with stories of her adventures, giving them a glimpse into the beauty and charm of England’s landscapes, people, and culture.

As Zhang Mei settled into her seat on the plane, she couldn’t wait to share her excitement with her followers. Holding her phone up, she recorded a short video, her face glowing with anticipation.

"Hi everyone!" she began, smiling warmly into the camera. "I’m officially on my way to the UK, and I couldn't be more excited! This has been a dream trip for me for so long. I’ll be spending the next three weeks exploring everything from the streets of London to the peaceful, picturesque villages. There's so much I want to see—and of course, I’ll be taking you all along with me!"

Her energy was infectious as she continued, "I’ve planned some amazing adventures, from visiting ancient castles to wandering through beautiful gardens. But I also want to discover the hidden gems, the little places that might not be in the guidebooks but hold a unique charm of their own. If any of you have been to the UK and have tips or favourite spots, drop them in the comments! I love hearing from you."

With a final smile, she signed off, "I’ll be posting updates as much as I can, so stay tuned. And as always, thank you for following my journey. Let’s explore the UK together!"

As Zhang Mei settled into her seat, she adjusted her coat and tucked her bag under the seat in front of her. Just as she was about to relax with a book, the woman next to her glanced over, eyes widening in recognition.

"Excuse me," the woman said softly, her voice hesitant but excited. "Are you Zhang Mei? The travel blogger?"

Zhang Mei smiled warmly, a little surprised but used to being recognized by now. "Yes, that's me! Have we met before?"

The younger woman, likely in her mid-twenties, blushed slightly and shook her head. "No, we haven't met, but I follow your blog! I’ve been reading your posts for years. I love the way you write about your experiences it’s like I’m right there with you. I can't believe I'm sitting next to you!"

"That’s so kind of you to say!" Zhang Mei replied, genuinely touched. "It’s always nice to meet someone who enjoys my work. Where are you headed?"

"I'm going to London too!" the woman said eagerly. "I’m studying there, but I’m taking a little time off to explore the city more. Your posts actually inspired me to travel more while I’m in the UK."

Zhang Mei’s eyes lit up. "That’s fantastic! London is such an incredible city, full of history and culture. Have you had the chance to visit other parts of the UK yet?"

"Not really," the woman admitted. "I’ve mostly stayed in London because of school, but I’m hoping to do more traveling soon. What are you planning to do this time around?"

"I’m going to spend three weeks exploring," Zhang Mei said with enthusiasm. "I want to visit London first, then I’m heading to the Cotswolds and some small villages. After that, I’ll see the Lake District—it’s one of the places that really caught my attention. It’ll be a mix of city life and countryside, so I’m really looking forward to it."

The woman’s eyes sparkled with interest. "That sounds amazing! I’ll be following along with your updates for sure. Oh… May I suggest something?" said the woman blushing.

Zhang Mei grinned. "Of course!”

The woman next to Zhang Mei suggested she visit Arnside, a charming village on the southern edge of the Lake District. "It's a hidden gem," she said excitedly. "Arnside has this incredible coastal vibe with beautiful views over Morecambe Bay, and it’s much quieter than the more touristy parts of the Lake District. You can take peaceful walks along the promenade, explore the Arnside Knott for stunning panoramic views, and if you're into nature, it's perfect for birdwatching. Plus, the sunsets there are just breath taking! It’s a great place to unwind and escape the crowds."

Zhang Mei’s eyes lit up as she listened. "I hadn’t heard of Arnside before, but it sounds absolutely wonderful! I love discovering quieter, off-the-beaten-path places like that. The coastal views and peaceful atmosphere are exactly what I’m looking for after exploring the busier parts of England. I’ll add Arnside to my itinerary—it sounds like the perfect spot to relax and take in the natural beauty of the Lake District. Thank you for the suggestion!"

The two women continued to chatter throughout the flight, sharing stories of their favourite travel destinations, must-try foods, and their experiences navigating new cultures. Zhang Mei found the conversation refreshing, as they both laughed and bonded over their mutual love for adventure. Time seemed to fly as quickly as the plane, and before they knew it, the captain announced the descent into London.

As the plane touched down, Zhang Mei felt a surge of excitement. She looked out of the window, catching her first glimpse of the overcast London skyline. Her heart raced with anticipation—three whole weeks in England awaited her. The bustling city, the quiet villages, and the landscapes she had only read about were now within reach. She could hardly wait to step off the plane, feel the crisp English air, and begin her journey.

Smiling, Zhang Mei turned to her seatmate, "Well, here we are! I can't believe the adventure is finally starting. I’m so excited." With her camera in hand and her mind already buzzing with ideas for her next blog post, Zhang Mei was more than ready to immerse herself in the journey ahead.


As Zhang Mei stood by the window, her outfit was a perfect blend of style and practicality for the chilly English weather. She wore a soft grey knitted beanie and a light dove-grey cashmere scarf, which draped elegantly around her neck. Her deep forest green wool coat, double-breasted with tortoiseshell buttons, reached just above her knees and featured a high collar turned up for added warmth.

Underneath, she had on a sleek black wool turtleneck sweater. Her fitted black wool trousers ended at her ankles, complementing her classic black leather ankle boots with a low block heel. The boots, paired with matching black leather gloves tucked into her coat pocket, ensured both comfort and style. Zhang Mei completed her look with a deep burgundy crossbody bag, practical yet chic for carrying her essentials.

After smoothly passing through passport control and collecting her luggage, Zhang Mei made her way to her hotel. The charming, boutique hotel in the heart of London had a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that made her feel right at home. She checked in, dropped off her bags in her elegantly appointed room, and took a moment to freshen up.

With her excitement bubbling over, Zhang Mei headed out to begin her adventure. The streets of London, with their vibrant energy and historical architecture, were a thrilling sight. She strolled through the bustling markets of Covent Garden, marvelled at the iconic landmarks like Big Ben and the London Eye, and enjoyed a leisurely walk along the River Thames. Each corner offered something new to discover—quaint cafés, historic buildings, and lively street performances.

Her camera was ready, capturing every moment as she explored the city's rich tapestry of culture and history. The adventure had officially begun, and Zhang Mei was eager to dive into every experience London had to offer.

And just like that Mei began her journey, travelling from one city to another, documenting almost anything that grabbed her attention, sharing her food experiences along with people she met and sceneries, needless to say her camera was absolutely flooded with pictures and videos of any kind.

Just over two weeks passing, Mei arrived in Lancaster she propped up her camera and smiled into the lens, her surroundings a picturesque blend of Lancaster's historic charm and scenic beauty. She looked a bit worn out but excited as she spoke to her followers.

“Hey everyone! I’m here in Lancaster now, and I have to say, this city has so much more to offer than I initially expected! From the stunning Lancaster Castle to the beautiful walks along the canal, there’s been so much to explore.”

She paused to adjust her scarf, her eyes reflecting the day’s exhaustion. “Honestly, I’m quite tired from all the sightseeing and adventures. I’ve been on the go non-stop, and it’s catching up with me! So, for the last few days of my trip, I’m planning to take it a bit easier. I’ll be enjoying some leisurely strolls, relaxing in cozy cafés, and just soaking in the local vibe without any rush.”

Mei smiled warmly; her fatigue mingled with contentment. “Thanks for following along with my journey—stay tuned for more relaxed updates as I wind down my time here in Lancaster. See you soon!”

After turning off the camera, Mei let out a heavy sigh and sank onto her hotel bed. She stared at the ceiling, her mind reflecting on the whirlwind of activities she’d packed into her trip.

"Wow, I didn’t realize how exhausting it could be to see so much in such a short time," she thought to herself. "Today, I’m definitely going to take it easy. I’ve been running from one place to another without a break. I deserve a day to just relax, catch up on some rest, and maybe even binge a few shows or read a book. No more rushing! Just a lazy day in my hotel room. Sounds perfect.”

As Mei settled into her bed, she wrapped herself in the fluffy duvet, but despite the heater’s gentle hum, she still felt a little chill. The northern breeze was more biting than she anticipated, and the cool air seeped into the room, making her shiver slightly.

She was dressed in a pair of casual shorts and a simple, soft cotton tee, which had been comfortable for her earlier explorations but were proving inadequate for the cool, drafty room. Her ankles were covered with a pair of thin, ankle socks that offered minimal warmth. Realizing she needed something cozier; she slipped off the ankle socks and reached for a pair of thick, over-the-knee burgundy cotton socks she had brought along for days like this.

As she pulled them up, they snugly enveloped her legs, adding a comforting warmth that quickly made her feel more cozy and secure. With the soft, warm socks and the duvet wrapped around her, Mei finally began to feel more comfortable, even if the coolness of the northern air lingered.

For a moment she felt quite warm but once she stopped moving a slight chill went through her once again, “Nobody told me it can get this cold in the UK, jeez!” she quickly pounced from her bed, tip toeing to her luggage and pulled out a white long sleeve wool sweater and gently put on top of her tee.

“Ahhh much better” it snuggled her softly, going back to bed she finally felt at ease. Whilst watching TV, she remembered about the woman she met in the airplane.

“Hmm… Arn.. side” typing on her phone with her nails clicking on each symbol, she wanted to see how far it was. “Oooh! She did mention about.. More..cambe bay” reading it slowly trying to pronounce it correctly in her head, she gasped once she realised that it was only 20 minutes from where she currently is.

“I might do something today after all! I will just take a walk to relax without recording to see how it is.” thought Mei to herself excited, rubbing her feet together, creating a soft brushing sound with her socks.

Putting her phone down, she quickly got back up again, looking outside of her window it was gloomy, not that it mattered to her as she quickly closed the curtain and turned back to get herself ready for a walk.

Mei sat down on her bed with her hands crossed, fidgeting her fingers as she tried to think what to wear, she looked down and dangled her legs whilst thinking. “I really need something to keep me warm and these socks are amazing, but it will be so uncomfortable to wear them with my jeans, they’ll just keep sliding down!”.

Letting out a heavy puff, suddenly she remembered she did bring a pair of pantyhose in her luggage, once again she stood up and dug through her clothes to find them.

“Where… are.. you…” she muttered whilst looking through the dozens of clothes she brought, “Aha!”, at last she found the brand new pair she bought just before leaving her home country.

Luckily they were quite thick too, 80 denier black opaque tights, sitting down she slipped off her socks and gently began sliding her slender legs in between the soft nylon fabric, carefully adjusting it as she pulled them up to avoid laddering, and finally reaching her waist line she jiggled both her legs to set them comfortably.

With that she then picked up a black and white plaid skirt that went down just above her knees, and once more putting back her soft over knees back on. Her body felt tremendous warmth with the combination she chose.

“This should definitely do!”, walking forward she picked up her sneakers instead of her boots for more comfort, a pair of black and white adidas superstars which she loved so very much. Finally, she put on her coat and was on her way, as soon as she stepped out of the room she quickly halted in place “I almost forgot! My beanie!!” she did a cute jog back and took her precious little hat, sliding it over her sleek hair and covering her ears, now with a grin up to her ears she was finally ready!

Her first few moments of walking were to see how the weather would feel, after walking for a bit she felt comfortable with it, happy that her clothes provided her the necessary warmth and comfort, she was especially adoring her socks and tights combo, soon enough she stopped and took her phone out to take a picture of her legs.

“This is definitely getting posted later!” said Mei as she cherished her look.

As she wandered, Mei’s thoughts drifted to her earlier conversations and the potential new adventure of exploring Arnside. “It’s amazing how different each part of the UK can be,” she mused. “Lancaster is so charming in its own way, but I’m really curious about what Arnside has to offer.”

Her gaze wandered across the landscape, and she noticed a distant shimmer that seemed to beckon her. Curiosity piqued, she squinted her eyes and walked closer, her heart quickening with anticipation. As she approached, the distant glimmer began to take shape. It was a vast, open expanse of water, meeting the sky at the horizon.

Zhang Mei’s breath caught in her throat as she realized she was approaching the shoreline of Morecambe Bay. The sight of the expansive bay, with its gentle waves lapping at the shore, was breath taking. The cool, salty air mixed with the scent of the sea, and the vastness of the water contrasted beautifully with the surrounding landscape.

“Oh wow!” she gasped; her excitement evident in her voice. “This must be it! The shoreline I heard about.” She pulled out her phone and snapped a few pictures, eager to capture the beauty of the bay. The sight was even more stunning than she had imagined, and the peaceful setting made it the perfect spot to unwind and reflect on her travels.

Feeling a surge of energy and satisfaction, Zhang Mei continued to explore the shoreline, her heart filled with the joy of discovery. The unexpected find had added a delightful new layer to her trip, and she was thrilled to share this moment with her followers later.

“I said I wasn’t going to take my camera with me but here I am taking photos with my phone like a maniac” she chuckled to herself and proceeded to walk closer to the shore. Luckily the tides were low, and everything was visible.

“What a view… I’ve never seen such a wide-open area… and the air is so fresh! This place was worth the visit.” Mei was happy that she listened to the random lady she met, her thoughts were soon interrupted by her belly, she hadn’t eaten yet and suddenly felt the craving of getting something.

Looking around she saw a vending machine nearby, she had hoped that there would be a stall or some sort to get some nice warm food. “A snack will do for now” is what she thought as she approached the machine.

*cling cling* Made the machine after tapped her card and made her choice. She got a packet of salted crisps, simple choice but enough to keep her happy.

She continued strolling down a path deeper into the bay, looking around mesmerised while slowly eating, she loved the view so much that she held every chip for several seconds and it looked like she was eating in slow motion.

Soon the path started to fade away and it was just the surface on the shore, unknowingly her heart pounded from excitement, she gently stepped on it, she could see that it was damp but solid nonetheless, continuing to walk forward and looking around, the soles of her shoes turned light brown and made gentle slapping noises with each step.

Mei squint her eyes and leaned forward trying to read what it seemed to be a sign, she walked closer as she couldn’t really see. Walking closer she could feel the surface change slightly, it was still firm and solid but at the same time felt gentle wobbling vibrations, she looked down and saw that each step left a footprint, quite detailed at that.

Somewhat day dreaming she was now in a distance where she could read the sign but kept walking anyway when her next step she screamed, her left foot stepped on a softer part of the shore and made a slurping sound.

“Aaaah!” quickly flailing her arms to keep balance, her left foot slid a bit more to the side but managed to get herself completely still, “Eww I guess it’s a lot more muddy here… It makes sense since I’m closer to the shore”, Mei sighed after lifting her left foot and taking a step back, placing both feed back on solid ground.

She stood on her right leg to take a quick look at her left and saw that the side of her white shoe were now slightly dirtier, another sigh followed as she placed it down.

Now finally she focused on the sign, holding her bag of chips whilst reading slowly.

“Danger! Dangerous quicksand and mud exposed at low tide hidden channels!”.

After reading it her eyes opened wide and gasped, immediately re-reading it once more “Oh my god!” she took another few steps back and stood completely still, “If I took another step I would’ve been in a big mess” her heart pounding and feeling a bit nervous, Mei inhaled and exhaled heavily to calm herself down.

Of course she couldn’t control the urge of taking a picture of this sign along with her shoe, click the first picture of the sign was done, she then moved her phone towards her feet but…

“Oh wow!! The heck!” the surface around her feet slightly rippled as she stood still, she saw small cracks and a slight bend downwards, immediately stepping back once more, she felt a very light suction on her soles.

Scared and her heart throbbing wildly once more she looked around “Unbelievable… the consistency… or whatever you call it… the surface changed!”, taking a few more steps back looking closely at her feet, she could see a slight bounce with each step, as much as she was curious she was scared to try anything funny.

Blinking rapidly as thoughts crossed through her mind what would’ve happened if she didn’t move away, putting her phone finally in her back pocket she turned around to walk back, but was met with an unexpected surprise.

“AAAAAAAAAH!!!” she held her packet of crisps this entire time and a seagull flew straight towards her direction, colliding with her torso, it stole the packet but that wasn’t the worst…

The impact pushed her backwards causing her to stumble, trying to hold her balance, as she took a few steps backwards, each step was rapid and heavy and also had weight behind it, the surface squelched and ‘plouped’.

A few steps more things completely changed, her right foot hit soft patch that immediately opened and sucked her leg up to her ankle, to stay upright she pressed her left leg out of instinct down, but it also broke through the surface… “Oh no!! Shit!!” she exclaimed.

“Oh my god!!” her right foot sank even deeper, almost up to her lower calf, immediately Mei leaned to her left and began pulling “Mmmmghhh, give me my leg!” but the clay like quicksand refused to do so, it stretched with her leg and rippled, as a result her left foot broke even deeper than her right and fell right to her knee, causing her to tumble forward and press her palms on the surface.

“I… I’m sinking! Help!” she yelled looking down at her legs stuck inside the soft succumbing trap, she could feel the thick ooze soaking through the fabric of her socks and even nylons, as well as filling up her shoes completely, making them feel a million times heavier.

“Heeeeelp! I’m stuck in this quicksand! Oh god!” she cried out loud this time, leaning forward with her palms still on the surface she tried to wiggle her right leg, gambling on getting it out side her left was so deep, twisting and shaking it from left to right, “Aaagghh!” she groaned “It’s… so heavy!”, in the meantime her left leg was being completely devoured and sucked in, her toes pointed downward as she tried to keep pressing.

Soon enough it reached her thigh, gasping as she felt the coolness, Mei picked up her skirt and saw how deep it was, her face trembled, looking back at her right leg it was still stuck and barely budged out… panicking she decided to lean more on her right to salvage her already buried leg.

Thrashing and weaving around softened the entire area around her body “Aaaa- AAAAH!” she screamed even louder when her right leg just plummeted all the way down the same way as her left, both now joined together, the clay squished between her thighs and soaked completely through her tights, her legs felt incredibly heavy.

“Heeeeeeeeelp!!! Please! I’m stuck in this quicksand… I… I can’t stop sinki-i-ing” sobbing as she held her skirt watching her thighs being sucked down midway through.

“What am I gonna do? I can’t get out, not alone! I’m stuck!!” there was nothing she could grab onto either, “All because of that stupid seagull…” panting rapidly she took a deep inhale.

“HEEEELP!”, only her voice echoed across the shoreline “Ooouh!!!” she squirmed “Oh my gosh please stop!!”, she felt a cool touch on her crotch and saw that she kept getting deeper in the clay like sands, her skirt spread afloat but after a brief moment it too began to go under.

“No… no I can’t… urgh! I must do something”, clawing her fingers onto the surface in front of her, she leaned down, feeling the cool damp quicksand soaking all of her clothes, she kept pulling and trying to kick with her legs but to no avail.

“It’s just… argh!! Too heavy”, along with the weight it was also cold and her legs were going numb. Several times she clawed in different directions and soon enough more area softened up and her hands felt like they were dipping in cream, sticky… heavy cream…

“Huhh? What the- Oh god… no no no!”, She tried to dig out once more but this time her hands plunged all the way to her elbows and were stuck, leaning to her left then her right, the quicksand wrapped it’s self around her and followed her movement, stretching… then responding with a squishing sound and sucking her even deeper.

Down to her ribs… and soon to her breasts, her arms were almost gone…

“Heeeeeeeeelp!! Someone!? Please!!! Why is no one coming!?!?!?” frustrated and terrified, there was nothing she could do, completely encased in the clay trap, she watched as she closed in on the surface, the more she sank, the faster she continued to sink because of her clothes…

“Heelp!! Help… Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp” her voice started breaking, soon her shoulders disappeared.

Panting with heavily as Mei leaned her head back “Godd no! I’m going to die in quicksand!”. Squishing her entire body, she could feel every part of her pressed tightly, soon her chin reached the surface.

With her last remaining strength… “HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!! HELP!... HEElphhhlgmhml”

Her eyes widened even more, tears falling down and soaking through the surface, the mud made its way into her mouth, it formed around her face, she watched as darkness closed in on her, and in just a moment… Poor Zhang Mei was swallowed completely with no traces behind.

The end.




For more stories, please have a look at my DA page: https://www.deviantart.com/xakera1 I would love some feedback and hopefully you enjoy!