Black Book

With each step further away from the camp, the overiced, insistent terrain became increasingly unforgiving. Everything and everyone except for the wind was completely mute. The ground they walked on contained treacherous secrets. Ones that had been shut in for thousands of years, kept completely safe.

Walking briskly Sam simply focused on putting one foot in front of the other. His body was incredibly tired, his every joint experiencing the sharpest of pains resulting from the cold encapsulated Siberia. Progression forward; it was all his mind could wrap itself around and this thought provided short relief as a focal point.

The snow stretched on like a blanket swallowing the ground. His bottom lip felt numb and hard as he tucked his chin farther deep down into his jacket to hide what remained visible of his face from the bitter and unforgiving wall that was the wind.

There are those who, after growing tired of life, long for adventure. For Sam however, he pursued the adventure and the harshest of elements rather, to one day, be able to retire and live a life of stability, tranquility, and simplicity. It was the adventure that would make his dreams possible, and he longed for that time when the adventures would end and the stillness that was always there would emerge and encapsulate each day.

He was powerful. Not powerful in the sense that he wasn’t victim to fear. Not powerful because he was immune to the cold. Sam was powerful because of his ability to strongly persevere despite the cold and despite the pain. He knew in the deepest confines of his being that he would never win against those elements but despite that reality, heroic madness overcame every whisper and shout from within his body that begged him to retreat, to pack it up, to call it quits. Twice as powerful as he thought he was, he preserved. He never contemplated quitting, not for one single second. Rather, he carried himself on strongly, despite the pain. One heavy foot in front of the other.

Part of an area excavation team on the last day of the job, Sam’s mind was focused on his son and daughter at home with his wife whom he loved dearly and who had been diagnosed with cancer only six months prior. He was her shield from the cruel world and she was the most beautifully uncomplicated person he had ever met. She would dare to do anything and he was confident that she was strong enough to overcome the worst. Furthermore, he knew the cold and the elements he faced were worth providing a warm meal and health insurance for his family at whatever cost they may come from.

Digging through the permafrost had been the mission of the work Sam partook in for Iron Drilling, a conglomerate that had capitalized on the methane and oil found beneath the ground where he now stood. Sam had bid on the job a month ago and was both thankful and relieved when he received the call that he would be on the rotating team, working on the excavations two weeks on, two weeks off. There was no end date in sight and the steady work was welcomed and viewed as a prize in many ways.

Intelligent effort, the ability to overcome one’s fear, and courage were crucial to face the work at hand and Sam perfectly epitomized what Iron Drilling was seeking, not only for a worker, but also as a leader. The company, after carefully screening him, recognized him as someone who could confidently look fear in the face without hesitating for a single second.

Two weeks after signing on and committing, the wind now blocked his every move, yet he fought against it; leading his team onward.

In a physical sense, Sam was tall, memorable, and the epitome of a hard worker. Never imaging or dreaming of a life involving travel and beaches, he confidently knew that he could handle whatever experience would present itself next, no matter how challenging. His forearms and hands were strong and he was man’s man who everyone could immediately recognize valued hard work. He made his choices with the upmost understanding that it was his responsibility to create the life for his family that he had always envisioned. One that was full of happiness, knowledge, and the pursuit of passions and dreams.

When the men finally arrived at the camp, Sam’s bones felt as fragile as a bird’s. His muscles had been defeated and the cold had temporarily won, leaving a few abrasions near his right eye and one right above his beard on his left cheek. Humility emerged from all of the men as they patted each other on the backs and cheered, proud and feeling noble from having survived the last day of excavation before their next two week break.

While most days were focused on surviving in this frozen office, every now and then, something would break the spell of the mundane and add excitement to the day’s work.

Just as Sam grabbed a paper to study today’s excavation plan, he heard a faint calling and for a moment, thought he was momentarily hearing something that wasn’t real, a consequence that was often the result of the bitterness and the body’s inability to sustain itself within the temperatures Sam and his men found themselves in. After a few minutes, the calling grew increasingly louder and just as he started to make out a few words he saw Geoffrey, the youngest worker on the site, running towards him yelling “Sam!” You’ve gotta get over here! You’ll never believe this one!”

Ice rich deposits were all around the dig site. Sometimes they yielded interesting and unique finds, something that would break the coldness and bring a glimmer of hope, of discovery, which could often be misconstrued for warmth. Anything to take one’s mind of the elements.

Geoffrey, was too excited to feel the pain that had pulsed through his fingers only a few moments earlier. His mind was suspended by curiosity and lingered on every reaction from Sam.

As swift and powerful as a hurricane, the black book and unfolded check that faintly had “$20,000” written upon it clenched within Geoffrey’s gloves erased the numbness and tingling feeling that had earlier pulsed through Sam’s bottom lip. He looked at Geoffrey, straight in his eyes, to study his expression. Sam couldn’t help but wonder if Geoffrey truly realized the value of what he held.

In the pause, Geoffrey wondered if Sam was intrigued or if he was bewildered as his eyebrows made their way into a raised point as he contemplated these thoughts.