I woke up to the bright sunlight peaking through my window. My eyes still hurting from last nights party. As I stumbled out of bed hitting my toe on a present. Cursing under my breath. Grabbing it, I was ready to chuck it across the room. Unwrapping it, it was a chest. A chest with a letter given to me from my grandfather.

Dear, great grandson. Today is a special day. You’re finally old enough for this gift. All the legends and stories I told you. They’re true. This here is a map to treasure island. I’ve searched years for it, please continue my journey. This had to be a joke. Gramps was crazy in his old age. Always making up tall tails, and re-telling them differently every time. Oh what was the harm to see if it was real. Gramps.. was right. This map is real! I rushed to the attic where we kept all his old stuff, such as his book. Here it is! Yes! Treasure Island. This story as a kid was my favorite. Opening it, a letter fell out. Grabbing it, reading it carefully, all the pieces came together. I ran to my room and packed for a long journey ahead. Grabbing all my cash from my money jar, past birthday's, and summer jobs. This was at least enough for a plane ticket, and a bus ride. Starting off where Gramps left last. This is it. My new journey. I had waited years for something exciting. My patience has finally paid off. Arriving in Tahiti. I was exhausted. I had never been on tiny plane in my entire life. Let me tell you it was tight, crowded with people and animals. Exactly what you see in movies. It would all be worth the jet lag and sweat. Catching a bus to my next location on the map. I showed the bus driver where I wanted to go. Obviously not knowing the language did not help. Gramps taught me some of his funny words he told me as a child. I was just nine years old. The "I don't care stage". Now approaching my stop, the bus driver grunted at me. This must be it. The city had changed over the many years since my gramps last came here. Things did not look like it did on the map to what the city is currently now. Great. If I can't speak the language, how am I to ask for directions. No! This not the end to my journey. I waited years for this. I was not giving up. Moving forward. I looked for some local who could possibly speak English. There. A young woman. Hopefully she can help me. Using all my hand gestures and broken words, I got the point across. By some broken English, she showed me where the next clue was on the map. Hours have passed, and I can no longer feel my feet. I have to find some rest stop. Night is approaching. I found a small barn with hay, it was the only place that would not cost me a night to sleep. Yes, the hay was itchy, and not as soft as it looks. Poked by each little piece was not fun. No matter, I fell asleep some how. Day two: What a back ache. Tired and hungry. With a few dollars left, I searched for a market with fruit. Grabbing a few pieces of fruit and bread, I began my journey once more. Next stop on my map. I needed to get to a fishing dock. I searched for a decent size fishing boat and traded some of my food with the man. Ugh... I forgot I am seasick. Finally getting to the island, I saw how it shrunk. The water had grown deeper from all the rain. Dropped off, the man stayed so I had a way to get home. Even if it cost me the rest of my food, and my watch. Now to walk past these trees and a rock that looks like a crest moon. Past the water fall that has poisonous flowers. I need to be extra careful when passing as their thorns can kill a rhino. Great. The bridge is gone. I have to cross here, but how? Searching around my surroundings I find some vines. I am about to Tarzan this. Grabbing all the vines I could, I tied each one together. Using my handy swiss army knife, I took a piece of wood and made into a stake. Putting the two together, I swung it across the deep valley. Taking off my shirt I used it to zip line across the valley. Making it across with not falling was a miracle. Whew! My heart was racing fast. I can't believe that worked! All excited with adrenaline I continued my journey. This was it. The last place my gramps made it to. Just a few more steps to get to and I would find the TREASURE. I don't understand why he stopped here? I am so confused? No warnings?? Now I see. The hill full of the poisonous flowers. Come on! There has to be some way around it, some path way?

I was ready to give up hope. My heart ached. Gramps would be so sad to know that his grandson gave up. NO. This is no time to feel sorry for myself. There has to something in my backpack to use. Yes! This scarf will be a mask, and extra clothes will protect me. This should do. I can use this stick to push away the flowers. I hope this works.

Here goes nothing... I pray that this works and God protects me. I want to make my gramps proud. Slowly pushing the flowers away, and not making any spores spread. One wrong move and it's instant death. Half way through. I'm so close to the top of the hill. I can hear a waterfall. I'm nearly there. I..I. I made it??? Yes!! WHOO! O my goodness.. Wow.. If only gramps could see me now. The Treasure is just behind that waterfall. I'm so close.

I got to watch my steps and these slippery rocks. This waterfall is amazing... God has such wonderful creations.. amazing. Alrighty, ten steps forward.. turn right and walk five steps. Look for a crest moon shape rock. I see it! Now push it in. Woah! A secret door! Sweet! Ok ok.. My eyes have never seen such a marvelous wonder. The room filled with gold and jewels. Years of treasure just lying here. There must be traps set. I need to find what my gramps wanted me to search for. The Golden harp. There it is! I need to be careful. I could activate a trap, one wrong move.. and this whole place can come down.

Sweat dripped down his face, heart racing.. palms sweaty and fingers sticky. Thinking smart, he throws a rock to set off the trap. I only five minutes to grab it and escape. Feeling like Indiana Jones, he swipes the harp and bolts out of the cave. Being quick on his feet, he manages to dive into the water, before the cave collapses.

Being proud on his adventure, he learned a very valuable lesson. Don't open gifts from gramps. Going on a wild adventure, is thrilling. The next time he goes out on adventure, he'll make sure to grab a friend.

THE END

 Early morning's are not my thing. I woke up to better myself and to start a new year's resolution. I've lived in these woods for years. Away from the city, away from traffic and all the bustling noise. Quiet is my nature. Peace... the sound of silence. The smells of the forest... the breeze of the wind. This is my home. As I walk the trail that I normally walk every morning, I decided to change ways. It's about time to start a new path. This looked easy in the beginning. I soon learned it was not. I heard a few rustling noises as I walked up hill. I know I live in a forest full of God's creatures. It could be any amount of animal. I stopped and looked around my surroundings. I quieted my breath and slowly backed away as I saw the dark figure. Then suddenly more appeared. Wolves... why did it have to be wolves. They just stared, and I kept my distance. Was I imagining? They snarled my way, showing to be fierce. Telling me to leave. I showed my respect and left quietly. What an adventure to my day. My heart jumping out of my chest as it beat loudly. I am never taking that route ever again.

Today is March 14th 2023, and I am making my mark, by climbing a beast of a mountain. This mountain is known to man all around the world. It’s killed many in its path way, Challenger after challenger. It has many names, the most common name is Mount Everest.

 My name is Carter, and I am a climber. I started climbing at the age of 10. My parents owned a rock climbing park. Since the first day I could walk, I was trained to become a rock climber. My father Jon climbed many different mountains. He had an accident that changed his life forever.

The reason where I am today, and who I became is all thanks to my parents. The year was May 8th 1978. Jon Armstrong had just began his journey to climbing. Young, adventurous, and ambitious was all he was. No other thoughts, like fear, or death. 
 The crisp air was inside his lungs. Taking small breaths became his guide. Weight from his backpack, stabbing him from side to side. Sweat pouring from his forehead as it chilled from the cool air. He pushed through, still climbing the mountain. Feet numb from the dense snow seeping into his boots. Two hours have passed, without a break. 

Muscles giving in. Body exhausted, drained without rest. Jon, pushing through one more minute. Then he’d take a short rest. If he were to rest now he’d lose heat in his body, and freeze to death. For the cold temperatures rising and sun setting soon. He would have to make camp soon. Setting up a tent as harsh winds blow, wasn’t easy. Fingers frozen and numb, paralyzed for the time being. Panic starting to set in. No time to worry what was to come. Eyes weighing heavy. Breath becoming shallow. Heat leaving his body. Awoken suddenly by the sound of the hallowing screams of the wind. Sitting abruptly, Jon realized he had slept to long. Quick on his feet, packing everything up. Sun starting to rise.

Day two: Jon starting his journey once again. Now at the height of 1000 ft. What a mark for him. What an accomplishment to hold. Jon was proud of himself. Three hours had set in, water nearly depleted. Was this the end of his journey? No. Jon kept going. Suddenly Jon’s foot was caught on something. He couldn’t move. Being quick he started shoveling the snow away. Minutes felt like an hour to free his foot. A crack started to appear. His foot slipping in deeper. Was this the end of Jon Armstrong? Before he could panic his whole body dropped into the sink hole. Having quick reflexes, he stretched out his arms. Grabbing onto whatever he could. Slowing sinking, Jon used all his strength he had, to pull himself out. It was working! He had done it! Now lying on his back, breathing heavily. Eyes shut closed from the frozen tears in his eyes. A million thoughts rushing in his head. Slowly getting up, and onto his feet, his legs gave in. A rumble from the mighty mountain turned into an avalanche. Frozen in place, Jon had no choice but to slide his way down the mountain, using his backpack as a sled. Waves of snow moving faster down the mountain catching up to him. Maneuvering using a makeshift sled from his backpack. Tears became bigger as he was losing stuff left and right. His backpack vanished before his eyes. He had no where to run. Hope was lost. He knew it was the end of him.

As the waves of the avalanche grew closer to him, he closed his eyes. Hoping he’d be saved. Crash! The wall of snow hit him, like a ton of bricks. Sending him flying into the air. Tumbling down the mountain, until he came to a stop, crashing into a covered rock. His spine snapped like a twig, paralyzing him. A scream of agony left his exhausted body. 

By the grace of God, rescuers had found him. Lying frozen nearly dead. He was brought to the hospital. Doctors and nurses rushing to save his life. He was alive and recovering. His family patiently awaiting for him to wake up. A few days had passed and he had finally woken up and out of his coma. His family relieved.

Everest the cold killer. Like a mass murder awaiting its victims. Inviting them to a challenge knowing they’d fail. Burying them in his blanket of ice and snow.