THE MOUNTAIN 

By Tessa Harvey

   Gingerly, Steven eased out of his car and stretched, relieving tired muscles. He gazed up at the towering heights of the mountain as it soared, touching the clouds.
    He closed his eyes, dreamily. At last, he thought. He became aware of leaves crunching and looked around. Half a dozen sharp looking young men were approaching. Puzzled, he stood his ground. ""G'day," he said, cheerily as they approached.
    One stepped forward, the rest held back, waiting.
    "You have to climb?" asked the man. He was dark and well-built and carried an air of menace.
    "I am," Steven answered, still puzzled - and becoming very annoyed.
    "We have a safe carpark just over there," the man indicated with a dirty thumb. "Saves a heap of hassle," he added. "seems there has been some damage to cars round here lately - odd deep scratches. One even burnt." 
    He paused, sizing up the man in front of him. "We don't like to see this, so for a small fee, we kind of like to guard this place."
    "How much?" asked Steven, trying not to let his annoyance show. He had saved hard to buy this car and to travel this far. Backbreaking miserable work, endless hours. "Ten dollars a day," the swarthy man answered. "Okay," agreed Steven. He held out a battered ten dollar note. Well aware it was some kind of scam, he felt it easier to acquiesce. Still, it was strange. His parents had brought him here as a child a couple of times. There had been no problems then. He turned around to collect his gear, changed into strong hiking boots and set off through the cool forest.
    The young man whistled softly for a while, following a faint trail. Hearing the noise of water, he veered left, ducked through a sagging wire fence and soon found a beautiful pool and waterfall.

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THE MOUNTAIN  By Tessa Harvey     Scrambling down, zig-zagging, he reached the side of the pool. He had only been travelling half an hour or so, but decided to stop for a while. The car journey had been long and arduous, almost grueling. He had left angry. His head hurt.     Opening his rucksack, Steven rummaged around for some sandwiches and water. He drained one of his water-bottles and decided to re-fill it at the side of the pool. He flicked some water over his face, licking his lips. It tasted cool and delicious.     The sun beat down, so he moved further into the shade of the trees, mostly rowan and ash. Leaning on a very low branch, he must have startled a duck hidden by the bank. It flew out. Relaxing, he paused, listening to the flap of its feathers. It made no other sound. Must be a nest, he thought, but did not search for it.     He was just collecting his gear, when he heard the snarl of voices.     "Don't see why we hav...
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THE MOUNTAIN  By Tessa Harvey     Puffing and panting, the young people pulled themselves up the last few feet of boulders to crest the summit. It was a wonderful feeling to stand so high above the world and the view of valleys, streams, villages, and sea and city in the remote distance was indeed stupendous. Steven took photos of the view, watching as Peggy texted intently. "Family?" he queried.     "My uncle is a police inspector," she answered, pausing. "He is going to check out the young men at the carpark. At least I hope he is." She sank down, tired.     "I didn't want to text near those men and provoke them. Then after that I could not get a signal until now."     She leaned back, happy in the warm sun. The sky was a brilliant blue. "Best be going soon." Steven broke the silence after a while.     "Have you any spare water?" asked Peggy, glaring at him. Gratefully, she gulped some down after Steven proffered the fla...
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THE MOUNTAIN   By Tessa Harvey     The young girl closed her eyes remembering clearly how she had wiped Steven's water bottle with a rumpled tissue, then caught him watching. "Boy germs," she remarked, laughing. Later, when he had a quick gulp, she saw as he surreptitiously wiped the top with his sleeve. When he glanced up, she had been trying to stifle a giggle!     She thought then they had become friends. Please don't go, she thought. Opening her eyes, Peggy saw the blokes had formed a rough circle around her. Most unnerving was their silence. Taunts would have been easier to handle and possibly share a laugh. She felt like prey.     Steven had actually taken her phone, one of his nefarious skills. Quickly he dialed her uncle. Then sent a text. From his pocket he pulled out a bag of strong elastic. He searched for a stout cleft stick. Finally he filled his pockets with the gnarliest pebbles he could find and using all his woodcraft, retraced his ste...
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