“Okay, sure, Morgan. I have some protein bars at the top of my pack. Why don’t we take our bags off, eat the bars, and head to the top without them?” Avery said as she unbuckled her hip belt.
“That’s not a bad idea. We’re close to the summit and don’t need to carry all this gear up to the final push, anyway.”
They both took a few moments to stretch their aching muscles before they sat down with their water bottles and protein bars. The wind picked up around them, whipping their loose braids as they ate the bars.
“Still feeling uneasy?” Avery asked.
“Not really. I’m just tired! I haven’t summited a mountain this summer. It’s kind of kicking my ass,” Morgan admitted. Avery hadn’t thought that this could be challenging for Morgan. Yesterday, Avery struggled with the hike, weighed down with her own thoughts.
“I’m sorry; you should have said something sooner. I forget not everyone hikes for a job. Take all the time you need, sis,” Avery said. “I’ve been so selfish. I haven’t even asked you how you’ve been doing. Both here on the hike and in your life,” Avery admitted.
“It’s fine, Ave,” Morgan assured her. But Avery had a suspicion that it wasn’t fine.
“It isn’t. I haven’t even asked how your promotion is going.”
Morgan sighed. “Yeah, you’re pretty off the radar during the summer. I get it. You’re gone so much in the summer. The new job's been a big adjustment, but I’m getting by.”
Avery was, admittedly, not always the best sister. She had spent her adult life being called a free spirit compared to Morgan’s level-headed, practical side. Eventually, she stopped keeping track of Morgan’s job growth, or even asking much about work.
“I hope you’re at least happy with it,” Avery said through a bite of her protein bar.
“Of course I am, Avery. I wouldn’t be doing it if I wasn’t. But, honestly, we can talk about my job later. Let’s climb the summit.”
Wordlessly, they climbed over sharp, jagged chunks of white quartz. Far below, Avery could see the inky water of Quartz Lake still shrouded in darkness. Finally, they reached the peak. Dagger-sharp crystal rocks came to a point. Avery and Morgan touched the top with their hands before closing into an embrace.
Morgan and Avery stared at the lake below. Quartz Lake was just a speck of cerulean blue from this height. The morning light still hadn’t made it past the shadows of the mountain. From this height,the meadow and lake seemed fast asleep. But Avery could hear and feel the world awakening. The breeze carried the sounds of life. She could hear the ravens cawing in the valley below. A marmot squeaked an incessant “good morning,” and she could see the movement of the other campers packing up their tent.
Morgan sat down on the sharp rocks, picking up a chunk of crystal in her hand. She passed it to Avery. “Take it. We can put it in the condo. Like marking a new era together.”
Avery gave her sister a smile and slipped the quartz into the pocket of her yoga pants. They both sat in silence before taking pictures of themselves on the beautiful crystals. Twin faces with identical features in opposite colors, like two sides of the moon, Morgan, dark, and Avery, light. The shape of their small noses and full lips were almost identical. Their eyes had the same wide shape set against round cheeks. Everyone commented on how different Morgan and Avery appeared until they looked closer. Then no one could deny that they were twins.
“We should get back down to our bags before a bear gets into them!” Morgan joked.
“More likely a mountain goat at this elevation,” Avery replied.
Their pace down the mountain was quick. Nearly a run as they hurried down the jagged mountainside. As they walked down the steep path, they chatted about how they would redecorate Morgan’s condo. But they really needed to discuss how she’d contribute to the bills.
“I don’t want to be a charity case, Morgan. Please let me pay my part,” Avery said.
Morgan continued her fast pace down the mountain, quiet for a while. “That seems fair. I’ll have a contract writtenup,” Morgan replied.
“Thanks, Mor. And I really appreciate this.” As Avery finished her thought, she stood to strap on her backpack. “Damn! Putting on a backpack after having it off is always the worst. Why do we do this to ourselves?”
“I always start questioning my decision to backpack when I’m in the middle of a trip. But it’s always worth it, huh?” Morgan strapped her hip belt before moving to her chest strap. “Ready to continue on?”
“You lead the way. I know what you mean. I’m always daydreaming of cheeseburgers out here,” Avery replied as the wind rushed past her, making it tough to hear what Morgan said.
They walked a few more yards down the trail when they heard heavy breathing and growls behind a huge crystal block. Avery’s blood froze in her veins. Immediately, she reached for her canister of bear spray.
Before either could speak, a massive grizzly bear stepped onto the path. The bear was at least five hundred pounds, with three-inch claws and dark brown fur.
Morgan gasped in shock as Avery removed the safety from her bear spray.
She whispered to her sister, “Stay calm! Don’t move.”
She spoke too late as Morgan made a quick jerking motion, turning toward her sister and putting her back to the bear as she attempted to run up the mountain.
The bear reacted instantly. In two bounds, it was on Morgan, tossing her forward onto the sharp rocks. Avery lunged at the bear, shooting bear spray toward the beast. But the animal didn't react as the spray wafted back toward Avery in the wind. Avery’s scream was lost in the wind as the burning vapor hit her eyes. The sound of Morgan’s muffled cries and the bear’s grunts filled the air. The bear was bearing down on Morgan, its jaws around her skull.
