Tena Federico

The Mountains Between Us

Nature hailed to her from a forest mountain stream. The smooth grey rocks took no vengeance upon her bare feet as she traipsed blissfully into the water. Wind whipping across her thighs delivered no bite nor bitter cold, rather the familiarity of an old friend. She plopped down the messenger bag and plunged her hands inside, freeing the currency previously concealed by these natural powers around her. The stream took no notice as she splashed and tossed money wildly. Wind entangled the bills, and for a moment they all danced and laughed together, free! A rasping cough rode rudely in with the rustling of leaves, and she blinked awake.