"Just twenty feet," Doug said. "Keep climbing."
I didn't know if I could make it.
"Charlie." Mitch's voice floated up from below. "You're doing great. Just keep going. One hand at a time."
"I can't," I whispered. "I can't do this."
"Yes, you can."
"My fingers hurt." Clutching a rock with one hand, I studied my bloody fingertips on the other. Tears blurred my vision, and a whimper burst from my lips.
"I know it hurts, Charlie." Mitch's voice was so gentle. "But you're almost there. Just a little further."
My stomach cramped. My body was running on empty.
"Charlie," Mitch said. "You're not giving up now. You can do this."
His absolute certainty made me nod. "Okay. Okay." I focused on the rock in front of me.
"That's it," Mitch said. "One handhold. One foothold. One breath at a time. You've got this."
Doug grunted. "Touching. Now shut up and climb."
"Leave her alone, asshole!" Mitch's tone was deadly.
Doug kicked at some rocks, dislodging them, and they tumbled down onto Mitch's head.
"Doug. Don't!" I bellowed until my throat hurt.
"Then go!" he barked.
"Mitch, are you okay?" I tried to see him below, but Doug blocked my view.
"I’m fine. Just keep going."
I glared at Doug. Then, turning back to the stone, I muttered, "Asshole."
I clawed my way up. Slowly. Painfully. When my hand finally closed around a clump of grass at the top of the ravine, tears stung my eyes. I hauled my body over the edge and collapsed onto the muddy earth, gasping for air, every part of me shaking.
Doug scrambled up a minute later, breathing hard, and immediately crawled away from the edge and from me.
Mitch powered out of the ravine and raced to my side. "You did it," he said, crouching beside me. "Charlie, you did it."
I couldn't answer. I could barely breathe.
"That was amazing." He brushed hair from my face, his thumb tracing my cheek. "You're amazing."
I managed a weak laugh. "I'm a mess."
"Yeah." A smile curled across his lips. "A hell of a mess."
"On your feet," Doug ordered, standing back from us. "Both of you."
Mitch stood, offering me his hand. I took it, letting him pull me upright.
Doug had the rifle aimed at us. Beyond him, the landscape stretched endlessly. Red dirt, sparse vegetation, and nothing but wilderness in every direction. The rising sun hung just off the horizon, already baking the earth.
No buildings. No roads. Nothing.