Mountain Climber (COMPLETED)

9

The next day things became more difficult. The sharp incline became a sudden and steep cliff. The rocks rose so high Segarra could not see the top. When she first saw it, she stopped. "This surely can't be right. There must be another way."

Not for you. This is your way.

"Strait ahead, right." Sighing deeply, Segarra put her hand on the cliff. The hand holds were few and far between, not to mention that they were small and sharp. The strain on her injured knee hurt incredibly and she winced every time she pushed with that leg. Though she had to admit that it didn't hurt as much as she had expected when she woke from her sleep the previous day.

Soon delirium crept in and hit her again. Come night, she still had not yet reached the top of this torturous cliff. On the ground, she had dared to sleep only little for fear of the beast, but now she didn't sleep at all. With nothing else to do, Segarra kept climbing. However she did get tired, and so she stopped to rest. Her eyes drooped and as she drifted off, she hoped that she would not let go. She didn't try to resist the urge of sleep; that was futile she knew, so she willingly let it come.

A beast can't get me. At least that's gone, she thought.

Climbing, yet she had no strength. Talking, yet she had nothing to say. Living, yet she had nothing to live for.

She no longer mustered her strength each morning for she had none, she simply climbed. And as she climbed she spoke to herself, for she had nobody else to speak to.

"Rocks are falling. My hand slips. Ouch! A rock hit my hurt knee. I don't like mountains. I will never climb again. I move on. I don't know why. I should stay here and die. I want to die. I think I would like that. I could sleep. No beasts...or rocks in your face. Just rest. Forever. That would be very nice. But I don't think how I die would be nice. No, I wouldn't like that. I could jump, but the landing would hurt...really bad. I could wait for a beast once I get off this cliff, but that would hurt too....even worse than jumping. Beasts have teeth. The bottoms of cliffs have rocks. Nope. Too painful. I'm done with pain. It hurts. Sadness hurts....really really bad. It puts a pain in your chest and you can't get it away. Fear hurts. It puts a pain in your head and you can't get it away either."

And in thus a manner, Segarra climbed day after day after day. Each day ran into the next. Not one was different from the last. Pain, tired, thirsty. The thick fog in Segarra's head grew thicker to try and block out some of the pain.

From somewhere Segarra heard a voice. It must be Ezri! No, it's different than Ezri. Upon looking to her left, Segarra could see and old friend named Aislin. He was a long time friend that Segarra met back in the meadow.

"Hi Segarra!" he called cheerfully. "How are you?"

Out of habit Segarra answered, "I am doing well, thank you."

Aislin's happy face changed slightly and showed concern that Segarra never thought she would see from him. He was an old friend, but the relationship had never been deep. Segarra had no reason to expect Aislin to show concern for her in any form. Curiously Segarra took a peek at where Aislin was walking, but the fog in her head didn't allow her to see. Finally Aislin spoke, "Are you sure you're ok? You seem worn out."

This caught Segarra by surprise. What? Could Aislin see where she was? Could he see that she was actually not fine? She panicked. She didn't want anybody to know what was going on, to make sure they weren't sent up this mountain to help her. She didn't want anybody to go through what she was going through. It was torture. She was sure she could make it on her own. With only a short pause, Segarra replied. "Yes, I'm sure."

"Ok. You be safe. See you later."

As Segarra watched Aislin walk off, she wondered about what had just gone on.

I lied! I can't believe I lied! All he wanted to do was help, and what do I give him in return? A lie! But why did I lie? She looked at herself hanging treacherously on an endless cliff. Her hands were covered in blood, and they had been for weeks. Her feet were torn apart and her hair was a mess of dirt, blood, and knots. No wonder I didn't want him to know. I look horrid! Maybe this is worse than I thought. But what can I do?

She stopped to rest as she had been doing so many times. It was a futile attempt to rest and regain the energy she had lost months ago and not regained since.

Daddy? I am tired, thirsty, scared. I don't think I can do this any more.

Segarra,

Yes?

You must trust me? Love me?

With tears of despair she answered, I always have. I always will! Please help!

Let go.

Her tears stopped. What?

You heard me. Let go of the cliff.

If this is my time to die I guess I can't complain.

She gritted her teeth, and with a quick breath... she let go.

Fear gripped her. Nothing she had ever done before was so frightening. But nonetheless, she had obeyed with hardly a hesitation. As she flew down the cliff, the excitement and fear of it, caught up with the speed of her fall. She passed out before she hit the ground.