I'm half awake when I feel myself start to roll closer to the edge of bed. In a single motion the mattress is lifted and I fall to the floor with a heavy thud. Not only am I definitely awake now but also I'm kind of mad at being flipped out of bed.
I remove the mattress from atop my body and peer to the other side of the bed. Vaal stands there, arms crossed.
I ask annoyed, "How do you fucking people keep getting in here? Do you all have spare keys, or are you just some kind of evil Russian David Blaine?"
"Does it matter? We need to leave soon so be dressed within five minutes."
"Can I at least shower?"
"No," he simply said leaving the room.
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Within my five minute time limit I dress in decent winter clothes and walk out of my door. Vaal and the girls wait in the hall.
Freya turns her attention to me and asks, "What, do you induce yourself into a coma every night? Or do you just need that much beauty sleep?"
"Oh, Freya, I almost didn't recognize you without a drink in hand."
She laughs and we start down the hall to the elevator.
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We reach the bottom floor and walk down the hall. I start to walk down the short case of stairs and notice Griff in the lobby looking angry as usual.
I say to no one in particular, "Damn, it's getting' hot; you guys smell sulfur?"
Griff notices us and had obviously heard me, "Oh haha... jackass. Nice of you to finally join us. Is this going to be an everyday occurrence?"
"No, and you can thank my Russian alarm clock."
"I should've been the one to go in and punch you awake."
I kept my famous smile to piss him off, "Why don't you grow five inches then come at me?"
I hit a nerve and I don't care. He reminds me a taller Napoleon.
Eve asks Griff cutting off his comeback retort, "Why are you in such a foul mood?"
He responds with angry sarcasm sewn in his tone, "Oh I don't know, maybe the fact that we're probably not going to Fitz Roy today."
"Why?"
"Supposedly the Nazca Plate shifted and there are reports of continuous foreshocks so we're probably getting hit with a major earthquake today."
"So?" I ask.
"Uhh that earthquake will be a major problem on a 25,000 foot mountain. Can you imagine a mountain swaying back and forth? The conditions up there are already dangerous."
I understand the danger of an earthquake, even on a mountain. But considering we're all professionals in our own specialties and this tour is called "The Deadly Descents" I think we should still go. Especially if I plan on proving myself to this team and showing my worth.
"I say we go," I tell him.
I get odd looks.
"What? SSX is probably already there, why shouldn't we?"
Griff asks me, "You're not scared?"
I shrug not looking phased. Sure I am but what am I getting paid for? And if this earthquake were to actually hit, does it even matter? I'll be in the air 80% of the time. And I think I can survive a little snow getting shaken loose; most of it would fall into the crevasses anyway.
