The Peak

One Year Ago.

The climb was steep, laborious. Sure footing and firm hands weren’t the only prerequisites to make it to the summit: training, endurance, drive. A mental toughness and focus were required as well. These were necessities to conquer the peak, to make it up and back in one piece. Few had completed the eight-mile trek, most abandoning their dreams, their desires to be a part of this elite club, but not these three. They did what they said they were going to do.

“Holy shit guys!” Pete’s jaw dropped as he stood, embracing the majesty of the horizon. “You guys have to get your asses up here and look at this!” He turned around, dropping his body to the granite and outstretched a gloved hand down towards his counterparts.

Jimmy reached up, torso scraping the face of the outcropping, panting heavily. He gripped Pete’s fingers, holding on with the minimal energy he had left. His eyes were wide, full of worry and uncertainty as he strained to pull himself up.

“You can do it, man.” Pete’s voice was firm, confident. “Almost there, bro.” His eyes never wavered, honed in on Jimmy as he pulled.

A few meters below Jimmy, Sean braced himself, anchored in to the weathered face. Praying disaster or defeat didn’t descend on them. Based on his readings, so many in the past had to turn back once they got here. The anxiety and fear forcing them back down the peak, unable to finish their quest. Others, unfortunately, had a different fate two miles above the earth. He held his breath, eyes glued on the linked arms as Jimmy slowly elevated up the side.

Hold on Jimmy, just hold on. We’re so close, amigo.

A crag near the peak provided the stability Jimmy needed to make the last push upwards. With his freehand, he stretched, fingertips locking onto the natural stone shelf. With a final surge, and the relentless strength from Pete, he heaved his heavy body up onto the flat top of the summit.

The two laid there side by side, peering into the heavens, sucking in the rich, unencroached air. The elevation had been a problem for Jimmy during the two-day hike, but now that he was here, endorphins and adrenaline took hold. He sat up, ignoring the pains that ravaged his body, gazing at the wonders bestowed upon him. His vision was endless as he turned, taking in all the amazement that the Rockies could deliver from this height.

“This can’t be real?” he mumbled under his breath.

Pete let out a chuckle as he turned and looked over at his friend. They had only known each other for a few years, but he loved that guy. His nonchalant attitude and sarcastic view on life always brought a smile to his lips. This was a big deal for Jimmy, and Pete was relishing the moment.

“It’s real alright.” Pete sat up as well, arms wrapped around his knees. “You did it, man. Proud of you.”

Jimmy didn’t respond. His attention was solely on the view from the top of this peak, taking it all in.

The tranquilness of the moment was interrupted by a shout from below the ledge. “Hey dipshits, if you’re done making out, I could really use a hand down here!”

Pete and Jimmy locked eyes, coy smiles crossing their faces.

🗻

Minutes later, all three sat on the granite face, silent and astonished by their surroundings. There were no words for what they were viewing, just the serene sight of mother nature for as far as the eye could see. This was their moment. For years, they had talked about this journey, tackling the great mountain. And they finally accomplished it, together.

Dusk was setting in as they descended the crest towards base camp. The cloudless sky’s brilliant hues of blue quickly morphing into lush oranges. It was time to celebrate their accomplishment.

The three sat tightly around a campfire, sharing a pot of canned beans and admiring the lunar brilliance. The moon was full, hints of yellowing throughout as they stared at it, wondering why it seemed so close tonight.

Pete reached into the Yeti, pulling out a crisp Coors and cracking it open. After a long drink, his admiration left the can and returned to the sky. “You guys ever seen anything like this? This is amazing.”

“Dude, the views from town are awesome, but they don’t compare to this.” Jimmy interlaced his fingers behind his head, leaning back in his chair. “I mean, look at all that shit. How many stars are up there?”

“Billions bro, billions.” Pete averted his eyes to Sean. “Hey man, need a fresh one?”

Sean looked over, appreciation painted across his face. “Yeah. Sounds good. This one’s dry.” He held up his empty can, shaking from side to side. “Hey, do guys think that we ever really went up there? You know, like landed?”

Pete tossed him a new beer. “Alright, here we go, Mr. Conspiracy.”

“I’m serious, man.” Sean paused, opening the can and drinking deeply. “You guys have seen that grainy ass footage from the 60s, right? I mean, really?” He looked back and forth between the two, skepticism pouring out of all his mannerisms.

“Let me guess. It was a government coverup, right?” Pete shook his head. “The old Hollywood basement thing all over again.”

Sean's voice heightened. “I mean, really think about it, guys. We went up there, what like ten times in the 60s and 70s, and we’ve never been back since?” He cocked an eyebrow as he took another drink.

Pete let out a laugh. “But why would NASA just make up all that shit? Just to say we got there first?” He looked up again, admiring the scene. “Those men are national heroes, dude. They landed, man.”

“Yeah, you’re probably right, Pete. I’m just saying… What if?”

Pete rolled his eyes, taking another drink from his beer. “You’ve been watching too much Netflix, bro.”

A snicker crossed Sean’s lips at the jab. He held up his beer, saluting his friend. “Agree to disagree, amigo. Cheers.”

Pete held up his beer too, along with a rude gesture from his free hand, along with a mischievous smirk.

Jimmy’s eyes left the flames of the fire as he tilted his head back, gazing into the cosmos. “I don’t know what to believe, man, but what a view that would be, huh?” He paused, pointing up at the moon. “To see earth from up there, up there in space.”

Both Pete and Sean followed suit, gazing upwards, appreciating everything about this moment. Their moment up here on the mountain.

After a few moments of silence, Jimmy interrupted. “Hey guys, in all seriousness, I just wanted to thank you again for this.” His eyes moved back to the flames. “This whole idea was just a stupid illusion in the back of my mind, but you guys made it happen. You guys made it a reality.”

“We did it together, man. And you handled your shit up there, Jimmy,” Sean stated with pride, nodding his head.

Pete reached over, playfully scuffing up Jimmy’s hair with a rub. “Yeah, you did, little man.”

Jimmy jerked away, brushing the hand away. “Knock it off, dude. I’m being sincere here, jackass.” He paused, running his fingers through his wavy brown hair. “I really appreciate what you two did. What you two helped me do?”

Sean intervened, “You helped us as much as we helped you, Jimbo.”

“Yeah Jimmy. You were the one that really wanted this at first, remember? You inspired us to finally get our lazy asses up here.” The playfulness from before left Pete’s voice as he spoke, acknowledging Jimmy’s sincerity.

Jimmy went solemn, dropping his eyes back to the flames. “Thanks again, guys. This has been amazing.”

Pete abruptly stood, gathering both their attention. “Enough of this lovey dovey crap, gentlemen. We have some celebrating to do.” His eyes strayed to his tent, a few paces away. “Be right back, boys.” With a grin, he turned and strolled away from the fire.

Sean’s eyes followed him until a nudge in the arm gathered his attention.

“Man, when I was up there, just staring out across hundreds of miles of mountains, it felt surreal, like it couldn’t actually be happening.” Jimmy’s eyes never left the flames as he spoke.

“You’re not alone, Jimbo, not at all.”

Jimmy looked over at Sean, his eyes narrowing and a smirk coming to his lips. “Speaking of surreal events, did I ever tell you about that Asian chick I met while deployed in the Pacific?”

Sean’s brow furrowed. “Dude, for as many stories as you tell about hooking up, I have never seen you with a girl, man. But please, continue.”

“Pshhh! Please, you’ve seen me with lots of chicks. Remember, at Anthony’s Halloween party last fall, the girl with the… you know.”

“Yeah, I remember,” Sean replied, a sarcastic nod following the response. “What I remember is you putting in all that work and still striking out, amigo.”

“First base isn’t striking out, and I got her number!”

“Ever call her? Anything ever transpire Don Juan?”

Jimmy redirected his stare to the flames. “No,” he answered after a few moments of awkwardness. "Bogus number," he mumbled, shaking his head in disappointment. “But that’s not the point, man. I was trying to tell you about this girl from back in the day.”

Sean gave a leisurely nod, can to his lips, taking a long drink. “Yeah, yeah Jimbo. Tell away.”

“Dude, so her name was Tallia, and it was my first time with—”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, Jimmy. Save it brother, save it for another time.” Pete stood in front of the fire, carrying his backpack by the handle. “I brought something special for the moment, something special for all of us.” He reached into the bag and pulled out a brown bottle, hand gripped tightly around the neck.

Sean stood up from his camping chair, eyeing the surprise with envy. “Now, we’re talking!”

Jimmy remained seated, but cocked his head to the side. “Is that what I think it is, Pete? The bottle of 56?”

There was no verbal response. Pete merely stood there, holding the bottle like a freshly minted trophy, a crooked grin on his face. Suddenly, a light breeze swept through the camp, causing the radiant glow from the flames to dissipate some, darkening their surroundings.

Jimmy looked around before finally leaving his seat, approaching Pete and his appetizing offering. “Man, I can’t believe you actually packed this and brought it with you. You’ve always talked about saving it for something big.”

“Jimmy, this wasn’t just big. It was huge, tremendous even. You deserve this, brother. We all do.” As he spoke, the breeze subsided, returning the warmth and aura of the fire.

Sean joined them for the initial toast, passing the bottle around and wetting their lustful thirsts. This was their moment, their time to reflect on what they had accomplished. They did what they said they were going to do.

After another few rounds, laughter began to flow freely from all of their lips. Stories were told, and memories shared as the bourbon took hold, bringing the silence of the surrounding mountainside alive. Their shadows bounced and danced around with the trickling tongues of flame against the mountainside. Three best friends, celebrating the end of an epic journey, a few hundred feet below the peak of one of the tallest mountains in Colorado until…

A heavier gust from down the path crashed through the camp, breaking up the laughter and blissfulness. The tendrils of flame securing the three in an aura of comfort slowly ceased, bringing the entire area into darkness, with only the light from the full moon remaining.

Jimmy, still with a mouthful of whisky, slowly turned and faced the direction of the wind, eyeing the thin path hugging the side of the great peak. Finally swallowing, he lifted his free hand, shakily pointing.

Seconds later, with the gust ending, Pete and Sean turned around and joined him, not believing what they were witnessing. The rich browns of earth and grays of granite blurred with dark tints, obstructed by something. A dark haze, shadowlike, but without the physicality, engulfed the pathway. There was no true shape to what their eyes were revealing, just an imposing blotch of blackness in the descent, unnatural and daunting.

Unable to move, the three stood there, stoic, fixated on this anomaly that seemed to return the favor. Moments passed, possibly minutes even, without movement from either side, motion halted, blinking suppressed, as if time had stopped entirely.

Instantly, a bright pulsation reflected in the thing’s direction. The illumination grew swiftly, swallowing the darkness surrounding the mountainside and the base camp, blocking out sound and perception in its wake. All around was total brilliance, not a hint of pigmentation.

After moments of inconceivability, motion slowly returned, allowing the three to shield their eyes from the magnificence of their surroundings. Voices in the distance followed the ability to move. These unfamiliar voices and languages flowed freely within the spectrum. Silhouettes of humanoids emerged, dissolved, and then reappeared out of the brilliance, their motion unimpaired as they came and went.

The fear injected throughout their bodies while gazing into the darkness was gone, however. Tranquility and peace replacing it. Sereneness filled their very souls as they turned and looked in all directions.

Inconceivably, the brightness intensified, causing all three to shut their eyes from the pain. The potent nature maximized, burning their retinas as they attempted to shield themselves. It grew stronger and stronger, foreshadowing a climactic ending. With a burst of flash, it was gone.

🗻

Dew dropped from the needles of pines as the sun’s radiance shone into the camp. Billows of ashy smoke elevated from the long forgotten campfire. Beside it, two bodies lay motionless. With the forest awakening from its dark slumber, one opened his eyes.

What the hell is this? He thought, lifting his head from the cold ground. Incoherence set in, as he observed his surroundings, trying to remember. As he looked to his left near the smothered camp fire, he saw him, a slight wheezing snore coming from his open mouth. Jimmy?

He lifted himself up off of the damp ground, staggering towards his counterpart. “Hey man. Jimbo? Get up, dude,” he whispered with a hoarse voice. He delivered a slight nudge to the heavy man’s side with his boot. “Jimmy, get your ass up.”

Laying on his side, Jimmy opened his bloodshot eyes and searched for the obtrusion. Leaning back, he leered at his friend, only to close his eyes again and turn away. In a mumbled whisper, he coined a two-word phrase.

He scorned at the response, nudging him again, a little harder this time. “Come on, man. Seriously, get up.”

In a whimper, Jimmy responded. “Dude, I’m sleeping.”

“Very aware of that, Jimmy.” He looked up at the sun rising in the east. “Why are you sleeping on the ground?”

Jimmy opened his eyes once more, irritation setting in. “I don’t know, and I don’t care, dipshit!”

A grin crossed his lips as he stood there overlooking his friend. What a dumbass, but I love the guy. What happened up here last night, though? Did we drink too much and pass out? My head is pounding, and that damn sun isn’t helping. His thoughts paused as he lifted a hand to shield his eyes, squinting under it to further his scan of the area.

Why the hell did we sleep out here when we have tents? He turned away and approached the green, unoccupied one, laying close to the ground, suspiciously staring at it. That’s mine, and the shitty blue one over there is Jimmy’s. But what about the gray one? His head cocked to side, eyes shifty, trying to think, trying to remember.

A gruff sound interrupted his thoughts, forcing him to whip around in concern. Near the remnants of the campfire, he saw Jimmy sitting up and holding something in his hand, studying it with his tired eyes. It was a brown bottle, empty of course.

Jimmy and Sean slowly locked eyes and fragments of the drunken night came rushing back like a flood; the climb, the view from the peak, the bottle of bourbon later at base camp. Something still muddled their memories with haze, but something else came back as well.

As if driven by some unnatural force, they both mouthed the same question.

“Where’s Pete?”