Breathtaking

“Breathtaking. The view is absolutely stunning.”

“I knew you would like it.”

“Are we safe being so close to the edge?”

“Watch...

“See, completely safe. Have a seat.”

“I’m really glad you brought me here. Everything has been so much lately, you know, like overwhelming, but in such a subtle way. Maybe I’m not making sense. It’s good to get out. Feel alive again and, hey, sorry for complaining so much during the hike.”

“I get it. It’s a brutally long incline. You can’t do it unprepared.”

“That steep part with all the loose rocks, I didn’t think I was going to make it. I’m still catching my breath. Pass me the water?”

“Not a lot of people are willing to trek all the way to the top of the peak. It’s a shame people don’t come up here anymore. Did you notice that some of the trail has overgrown?”

“I have a few pine needle scratches to remind me! How did you hear about this lookout point?”

“I used to come up here with my dad a lot. He was an outdoor enthusiast. If we weren’t camping then we would be hiking, or fishing, or at a beach. Anything outdoors.”

“You fished that lake down there?”

“Lake Nodens, yeah, he brought my brother and I all the time.”

“What kind of fish would you catch?”

“Mostly trout or bluegill. Sometimes, if we were lucky, we would catch a muskie. I caught an albino trout once; I thought that was cool. We always released the bluegill, but we would take the trout back home to soak in Italian dressing.”

“Sounds like good eating.”

“He wanted his ashes spread there after he passed away. I think of it as his lake.”

“It’s beautiful. That whole story is beautiful, man.”

“Look, up there, near that peak. Can you see the eagle?”

“Which peak?”

“It’s flying this way. Look, uh, see the northern edge of the lake and then follow that line of aspen trees right there and up... until…”

“I see it! Incredible. Nature is incredible. Oh, look, it’s diving! Oh, whoa, right into the lake. Get a fish, buddy!”

“It’s kind of late for him to be feeding. The sun will be setting in less than thirty minutes.”

“Speaking of that; we were going to watch the sunset, but I just realized that means we’ll be going down in the dark and… I don’t think the moon will be out tonight. Will we be okay to get down in the dark? That trail was no joke.”

“Of course. I’ve done it a hundred times.”

“I know, but it will be my first time.”

“Mmhmm.”

“I don’t think understand.”

“Relax. Enjoy the fresh air; listen to the sounds of nature.”

“You never intended to take me down with you, did you.”

“Look, over there, a chipmunk. Aren’t they cute?”

“Why?

“What’s that?”

“I have to know why?”

“You always knew why.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Existence isn’t fair. Drop the pity act.”

“I’m just supposed to accept this fate while you sit here all nonchalant?”

“I thought you might enjoy a calm sunset.”

“People will miss me.”

“I’ll be there to comfort them.”

“I won’t go without a fight.”

“I couldn’t expect anything less, but you won’t win. You shouldn't waste this time, now watch, the sun is setting.”

“I won’t…

“I can’t…”

“Sit down.”

“Don’t touch…

“Get your hands off…”

“Me.”

“I’m not going… you’re going…”

“Please. Please, ooph, you can’t.”

“You can change your mind.”

“You made your choice.”

“I didn’t want it to be like this,

“Stop, ugh, please.”

“Ouch, that hurts.”

“You’re hurting me!”

“I never meant to…”

“So, this is how it ends?

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

"That sunset really does take your breath away."