The Mountain Kristina Howells Copyright © Kristina Howells 2011 Smashwords Edition This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. ***** The Mountain It was a hard struggle for freedom, as the wind carried on blowing across them, whilst walking up the mountain. Coupled with the cold icy conditions, John began to find it difficult to put one leg in from of another. ‘I must rest a little,’ he shouted, as the others with him carried on. No one heard his cries. It became impossible for John to carry on any further. He slowly reached into his pocket, and with the last little bit of strength he had, he blew into the whistle. But it was too late. He quickly slumped to the ground, praying that he would eventually be found. How the exhibition came about was something of a surprise. John whilst reading the newspaper read an article about the great alpinist Peter Boardman. It was this that inspired him to climb the most fearsome mountain by man, the great Kathmandu. John had already conquered many mountains in the world; he was already established in this field. He hoped that his skill and expertise would in time help him to conquer the world’s greatest of all mountains. However, later that day is friend James telephoned him to talk about their next exhibition. ‘Maybe we can revisit Ben Nevis,’ James enthused. ‘Maybe, but I think its time we try the Kathmandu.’ Then there was a deathly silence. James couldn’t understand why he would want to climb this mountain. He knew from reading books about this in the past, many men who had tried to climb it, only suffered death. It was a mountain that many had believed would lead you to the gateway to heaven. Yet John determination to climb it soon began to convince James to give it a go. ‘It would mean months not weeks of preparation,’ said James. ‘I know, but just think when we’ve conquered it. Just think how great we’ll be.’ With that in mind John and James began to train for the most arduous exhibition to date. John’s wife Sarah became the hero in raising funds for the trip. She helped by organising sponsored walks, car boot sales, and fetes. Even James’s fiancée Elise helped by getting people to sponsor them. She prayed that they would back out, and go to climb another mountain like Everest or the Alps, one that was less life threatening. But it wasn’t to be. The few weeks prior to their imminent departure to India Sarah became nervous. She knew that she may never see her husband alive again. So she began to cook him all his favourite meals, pack his clothes and suggested evenings out to the theatre. She deeply hoped that he would change his mind. That never happened. The night before they left with their team, Sarah decided to throw a party. Previously she always liked to have spent a quiet time with her husband. This time, it was different. It was as if she could sense that the return party would never happen. Later that evening the guests had started to arrive in number. All of them were hoping too that maybe at the last minute they would change their mind. Again it wasn’t to be as they toasted them, ‘goodbye, see you at the coming home party.’ James and John were dumbfound they didn’t say a word except ‘thank you.’ When the last guest had left, James approached his fiancée Elise and began to embrace her, before they too left home. The next day, John called round to pick James up early in the morning. Their flight wasn’t due to depart until 11am. Sarah wanting to go with them to the airport was soon standing all alone; as she watched the two men with their team go through the departure gate. She began to cry as she waved them goodbye, gently blowing her husband a kiss. This made her realise what life would be like without him. As she stood emotionally still, until she could see him no more. The End