The Third Man

Chapter 3 - Basic Instinct

Things got out of hand before Peter could realise. The wind was accompanied by heavy snowfall. The temperature was rapidly falling and the place Peter sought refuge in, provided scarce shelter. To make things even worse, his communication set seemed to have attained a complete radio black out.

It was clear he needed a better place if he was to survive. He remembered his training for mountain survival. The only problem was, the survival of single individual was too far-fetched, even for a fully trained expert climber, let alone a person who had attended a meagre twenty two day class.

His only hope was to get to higher grounds and attempt contact with rest of the team who had satellite phones and request call for rescue.

Peter unloaded all his data acquisition equipment there, to cut down on weight. He knew that they can be found later since they had tracking devices on them. He put on his anti-balling plates, griped out his ice axe and began his hiking, praying to god to not land him into any trouble. Atleast not more than he was already in.

He started moving higher up. But with 10 inches of snow already formed, taking even one step forward seemed a strenuous task and he realized if he didn't hurry he would soon be waist deep in snow. He increased his pace, bringing all his strength to move forward, as the way became more and more inclined.

He stopped, took out his radio and tried calling his team.

No answer.

He tried again, "Max, Max, this is Peter, can you read me. Can anyone read me?" same static hissing noise greeted him.

With every passing moment he was getting frantic, he was desperate and he needed help. He tried calling his team on radio several more times, but to no avail. Anger was gripping his mind, he wanted to crush his radio and throw it as far out of his sight as possible.

Just when he kept it at his side his radio started buzzing.

"Pet.... ou.........ar..........lri....."

"Chris is that you? can you hear me?" Peter shouted, his heart thumping against his chest.

He raised his radio upwards to get a clear transmission.

"Pete.... you oka..?" Chris replied

"No, I'm not okay, I came a long way out of the camp, I can't find my way back and I'm stuck in snow. Can you help me?" Peter said

"Pet...are.. selves stuck? Sat.. phone is no.. working. Stay.... ere ever you are. We will come and get.....?" The line suddenly went dead.

Peter tried calling them again but of no use. He knew he had to decide soon if he is going to stay put or try going to higher ground to re-establish the connection. It could be days for the climate to get back to acceptable terms. Even if the people at base camp noticed them missing, they would be helpless in such heavy weather to initiate search and rescue and he had slim chances of surviving alone so long without any shelter. The only other option left was to find his team. They had to be near, since his transmission got through to them in this weather.

He decided to hike, all the time trying to communicate and regroup with his team.

It was his only hope.

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