Surprise...? (short story 5)

In a matter of minutes everything changed completely. From the top of the mountain they could see the clouds moving so fast, faster than their own steps. The clouds were covering the whole mountain area, it was getting darker. Visibility was crap, they couldn't see the path three meters ahead. And then the rain came. It caught them by surprise, and a big surprise it was. The forecast was for a clear and sunny day. It was a six hours return hike, six hours according to their guide book which usually means about four hours for the above average fitness level. They still had to go all the way down, about an hour and a half in good conditions.

What to do? They didn't carry any of the necessary cloths or equipment for these conditions, "It was suppose to be nice and sunny" she kept muttering to her self as the 2nd she in this story got impatient listening to it again and again. All she could think of, the 2nd she that is, was keep walking, don't stop till you get there, don't mind the rain, don't mind the wind, keep walking, use the i-phone for light now and again when really needed. Can't have the battery die on me now.

It was getting more and more slippery as they progressed on the path down, it is not easy walking down a fairly steep path when it is as wet, dark and slippery. 2nd she started feeling her knees, trying hard to break easily as they descend. "Keep going...do not stop... whatever happens... keep going...we can do it.."

As they got closer to the starting point of the track, 2nd she's i-phone was ringing... with mixed feeling she stared at it, on one hand she knew they are very close to dryness, warmth and safety, but on the other... welcome back to civilization ,where there is mobile reception, where there are people, especially concerned people and sooner than later she knew they will start checking on them...

"Well...", 2nd she said to the 1st one... "at least we had a few moments of clear sky on the summit...now it's time to have a drink!