The Honest Truth

Beau follows Mark up the mountain without hesitation. Wrapped in thick layers, Mark reflects on another lie he told Wesley: His gear won’t sufficiently protect him all the way up the mountain. However, Mark doesn’t intend to return; he tagged identifying information onto Beau’s collar, and he eats most of his snacks before the hike. The wind is unforgiving, but he prefers to dwell on his hurting body rather than the people he left behind. Mark looks back once, but he sees that the visitor center is still closer than he thought, so he vows not to look back again. His heart grows heavier until, “in a sudden gust, [his] sadness turned to cold anger” (178). His loved ones may feel sad about his death, but Mark is actually dying, and he fumes at the injustice. Anger stokes his energy until he breaks his vow and looks backward. The visitor center is long gone, and loneliness sweeps away the anger. Farther along the trail, Mark sees a line of hikers descending on the mountain, off-course, and he wonders whether he should try to warn them. Caution dissuades him from interfering, but a while later, Mark realizes he no longer sees a clear trail.