Photo:
Stephen Matera

See also Contest 01: Chairlift Encounter

See also Contest 02: Panic

See also Contest 03: Squalor

See also Contest 04:
Fall

See also Contest 05: Weather, or Not?

Just a Little Farther
By LEE BRIGHTON

Just a little farther. I know where I'm going. I know this place with my eyes closed. I know it as a place of dreams and wanderings.

Just a little farther. I'm still close by. I'm not that far away. I hear things I know. The cable turning over the tower wheels. Voices on the track below. Muted dialogue about a cell phone. A squeal of laughter. The scrape of skis on hardpack. A plow working the deserted upper parking lot. I'm not that far away. I'm still close by.

Just a few more steps. A little higher won't be hard. It won't take long. I'll get four more turns. Maybe five. Just a few more steps. I'll get more turns than anyone tonight. No one would think to be where I am. It won't take long. I know where I'm going. I'm sure it's safe. Just a few more steps and I can be there.

Just a few more steps. I'll be out of the charcoal-yellow Halogen glow. I'll still see. There are other lights. Better lights. Purer lights. Lights that penetrate the canopy of fir and hemlock. Just a little higher. I know this place with my eyes closed. The ground will light my way. It won't take long. I'm still close by.

I should stop now. But I'm almost there. It's alright. I'll get 12 more turns. The snow is deeper, softer. Just hike a little longer. I'm alone. But I hear things I know. I know where I'm going. I know this place with my eyes closed. I'm not that far away.

I should stop now. The rock up ahead—just get there. Just get to the base of the cliff and touch the rock. Just touch it. It will feel different at night. Something about it will feel different. It's within reach. The ground is shining, shifting. It won't take long. Just hike a few more steps. I'll get 16 more turns. Just a little farther. I'm still close by.

Rest now. No need to put the skis on yet. Just listen. Just wait. No one would think to be where I am. I'm still close by. The snow feels different. The ground is shining. The snow feels different. Shifting and hollow. I'm sure it's safe.

Rest now. Sit down. Wha      I'm sli—



                                                                                        Next: number 2


 Discuss this story in our Workshop forum