Sun and Stone

I

"Leave me, Gray. I'm better off dead. I won't make it." I collapsed in a lifeless heap, my body filled with pain as the air rips through my lungs like sharp knives. There was an unshakable oppressive weight pressing down on me. I sucked in air desperately, despite the pain, waiting for the call of death, to slip into sweet, pain free oblivion.

"Aren't we being a bit dramatic here, El?" Gray smirked down at me, barely a hint of color to his pale skin. I had to choke back a stream of curses, astounded that he wasn't even winded. He crouched over me and handed me an uncapped water bottle before moving away to sit on a boulder a few feet from the trail.

I greedily chug a quarter of the bottle before I reply. "That hill was a monster, and I am done walking. Forever. I live here now." I let some water pour into my hand to splash my red face, shivering as rivulets race down my neck. Groaning loudly, I climbed up from the dirt. After slithering out of my heavy pack, I fell next to the lanky man, knocking shoulders.

"I would think you'd be used to this trail by now. You've practically been living out here lately." Gray swung his heavy pack around and began rooting in one of the outer pockets. "Here." He passed me a small item with a singularly raised eyebrow that made his face look slightly mischievous.

"Oh, sweet Mount Olympus, you are a demi god!" I exclaimed as I greedily exchanged the half-emptied water bottle for the packet. Tearing at the packaging like a wild dog, teeth and nails working viciously, I began to devour the candy bar. Speaking around a full mouth, I didnt look up from my feast as I replied. "I've been doing the trails around the lake mostly. No elevation, no gasping for breath, no stupid gravel to slide on." Gray smirked and ruffled my sweaty short brown mop of hair before turning to drain the last of the water from the bottle.

Grayson, with his blond hair, light gray blue eyes, and angular face was most women's dream man. He didn't do too bad with other genders, either. But to me, he was so much more. He was the balancing half to my every characteristic. He was a stern and resolute spoilsport, a calm and rational Jiminy cricket, and an unasked-for white night in aluminum foil. Where I was spontaneous with a quick temper, he was calm and unshakeable. When I yearned for adventure and chaos, Gray ached for consistency and calm. Where I would chatter constantly, words spilling from my mouth in jumbles without thought, Gray chose his words carefully, speaking in an often monotonous and bored voice. My moods shifted rapidly, and Gray said my face was like a constantly evolving weather system. Grays demeanor rarely cracked from a countenance of tired annoyance. Despite the polarity between our every attribute, Gray was my absolute best friend.

We sat in a comfortable silence as my panting slowed. Gray gazed out at the landscape sprawling before us from the vantage of the recently summited ridge, while I slowed my eating to extend the break. He wasn't wrong; I had done this trail before. We had both walked every trail in the next fifty-mile radius at one time or another. The mountains surrounding our small town had become our refuge while growing up and continued to provide solace into adulthood. As teenagers desperate for escape, we had discovered that we could take a free bus to the state park and spend warm summer days ditching dreary farm chores. When one of us had an especially bad day, the other would know it was time to head out into the woods. Discovering these trails had been a balm to a younger Elianne. Walking under these trees, basking in meadows under the midday sun, swimming in springs; these things made me feel free and whole. When I was out here, I could let myself feel everything that built up out in the real world. Once or twice a year we would take off together and spend a week scrambling through these hills. We would talk, laugh, and despite my emphatic complaining, it was still my favorite part of the year. By the end of each trip, we would both feel more hopeful, rejuvenated and excited for the future.

Feeling an impatient movement in Gray's body, I sat up from my exhausted hunch and turned to him. Grayson stood, surveying the trail ahead of us while pulling his large blue backpack onto his shoulders. Should only be another couple hours before we reach camp, if we dont run into His voice faded into a monotonous buzz as my mind flashed with snatches of memory. The way Gray was cast into shadow against the bright sun, filling my vision while he turned away from me felt too familiar. My body filled with fear and tension as a recurrent dream flashed to the forefront of my mind. I struggled to shake off the feeling of dejavue as I also stood and grabbed my pack. Despite my outward appearance, my inner self was quickly submerged underwater, immersed in the nightmare realm that stalked me every night.