Hope Deferred

The blistering wind rushed past his tear filled eyes as he strained to looked across the white landscape. Millions of white specs plummeted to the ground below, creating piles of ivory carpet. His heart pounded as the thoughts of his inevitable fate settled into his unsettled mind. It had only been a half an hour, but he knew he didn’t have much time. The Everest expedition had set out only a week before, and the journey had been a success, up to this point. Thirty minutes prior the team encountered a torrential snow storm that caused major setbacks. Then, the unthinkable happened: the guide rope (connecting him to his team) had become brittle and suddenly snapped. Having been at the end of the convoy, no one seemed to noticed that he was detached. For a few brief moments, he remained in eye shot and attempted to yell for their attention. Unfortunately, the howling wind drowned out his screams until the group was engulfed in the swirling white. Desperately he scampered in whichever direction was in front of him; searching for any site of his lost companions. Thoughts of the unspeakable began to flood his brain; the cold impacting every part of his body. Still searching for some glimpse of color (the brightness of buddy’s coat) he slowly began to lose hope. Before long, his focus shifted from attempts to reconnect with the group, and instead settled with simply staying alive. But how? Outside the expedition group, there was no hope. Walking became impossible, and he began to crawl. The cold and wet snow invaded his face. Inch by agonizing inch he moved aimlessly. His outstretched hand felt nothing but the numbness of his icy dread. Until, something different, yet familiar: the rough material of a large winter coat. Hope was within reach! Desperately he embraced his crew member, knowing that he was safe. But, his hope filled clasp was not met by the warm comfort that he had hoped to receive. Instead, only a cold and lifeless corpse. Fear gripped him as he looked up to see his team, connected by the guide rope, frozen as perpetual statues. Single file they led the way - his icy tomb awaiting.