One Apple A Day #57
5 miles.
Only 5 miles between me and a cold beer at the camp. I can almost feel the bitter taste in my mouth, the cold bubbles in my throat. Damn, this makes me even more thirsty and I have only half a bottle of warm water remaining.
Less than 5 miles.
My left foot hurts, my head is burning. I should have brought the hat with me, as they suggested. But, it was cloudy when we left. Another lesson to remember. Weather can change, be prepared for everything. I’m still not sure how all this struggle will help in my job. But, hey! If the boss wants me to do it, who am I to say no. And after all, I’m tough guy here. I left all the others behind an hour ago. Slow fat accountants. Now they know why having burgers every day for lunch is not a smart idea.
Four miles.
What the hell is doing this lake on my path? It’s not on my map. I turned left here at the end of the canyon and then I follow up north after the red rock. Wait. There are two rocks on this map. Damn it. I’m 2 miles South. Ok, not a big deal. The camp is here, it’s still 4 miles.
But there’s the water. In front of me a small lake. I can see the other side, it’s about 300 meters wide. But it’s water. I can feel the shivering on my back. I drag my feet down to the water. It’s blue. A wonderful blue reflecting the sky. A blue monster. It came like a blow in the stomach, taking my breath away. My mum on the river, the terror in her eyes, the cold water entering my mouth and my nose, the panic, the absence of air, the world turning black. I woke up suddenly. I realised I’ve been staring at the water for minutes. My legs paralysed. My hands sweaty. I can’t do it. I just can’t. That beer will have to wait. I start hiking around the lake. I must learn to say no to my boss.