Mount Celeste

By: Hoi Ching Hung

Thump thump thump. I marched against the icy wind whooshing in my face. My limbs were practically frozen from the mountain climate. “How high up am I?” I looked down from the mountain and saw that the skyscrapers were no bigger than my fingernails. I still had a long way till I reached the peak of the mountain, but it was clear turning back would waste a great deal of time. In my mind, I replayed what had happened two hours ago...

It's a Thursday afternoon, right after chess club when I decided to go on an adventure by myself. I don't know why, I just have to. After my irrational decision, I packed some energy, a jacket, some cash plus my sketchbook and stationery and headed out into the street. In the bustling streets, I hear cars passing by, the loud chatters of passersby...

I focus on the chills, and the road up ahead to distract me from my thoughts. Moments later I sense something off about the atmosphere. It was as if there was something about me. it was far away from me. What could it be? A beast? The mountain? I shook off all those superstition assumptions and focused on the concrete path. I pushed through the wind and fastened my pace. Thump thump thump.

It wasn't long before I ran out of breath and I began to stress. The feeling from before was growing. It’s like I’m coming closer to that dreaded feeling.

Whatever. I’m far too high to turn back.

I hiked for a few minutes and came to a stop. In front me is a split road, where a wooden signpost painted with dark magenta stands. To the summit, where brave souls go. The left sign says. The right sign was bluntly nailed on top of the left, The sign says the family trek. I take out my telescope to get a better view of the roads ahead, the right path looks like the typical hiking trails I was familiar with. It has plants and a gazebo further down the road. I turned to look at the left path, which leads to the darker parts of the forest, where the path is layered with snow. My eyes widened. Snow? In Hong Kong? No way this is true. I slap myself on the cheek as hard as I can. . I picked up a small rock, closed my eyes and hit my kneecap. "Ahh!" That was painful. If this is a dream, I'm probably too asleep to wake up. I continue surveying the path. There's a faint scarlet light coming from deep down the forest, Interesting. I put on my fur jacket and go down the left path.

Immediately after stepping into the snow, a chilly breeze hit me. I hold on to my jacket with my nearly numb-from-the-cold fingers. ; I walked with small steps; down the path. The scarlet glow from before was glowing stronger, but I could also feel a warmth coming from it. Warmth. I sprinted towards the light, though it was a shimmer of hope. There could be shelter, and maybe even food!

When I thought my legs were going to collapse, I finally arrived at a cave where crystals of all colours were scattered across the ceiling and walls, along with some vegetation and white pebbles. I took a moment to recollect my thoughts and found an area to sit down for a proper rest. I sat against the cave wall and scanned the area further. The glow was coming from here, no doubt. but I wasn't there yet. I could spot it. This time it felt more like a warning, the burning feeling I got from it. For a moment I was tempted to turn back, and that maybe this wasn't a good idea at all. But a sudden blizzard closed me off from that idea. I had no other option but to advance.

After warming myself up, I heaved my bag up and ventured farther, taking step by step to be cautious. The whooshing sound of the blizzard continues in the background. As I got closer to the light, I could feel the heat intensifying, this time it was more burning rather than warming, and I had to tiptoe to advance. before I reach a metal gate with a steel lock. This looks to be it. Where the light came from. I lifted the steel bar. It fell to the floor, making a Clunk sound. I could be getting into hot water here, but I don't have much choice. I stepped into the gate and into a small room, where the floor was grassy. In front of me was a lush garden with mushrooms and food ranging from bananas and suspicious muffins to a spiky colourful berry in it.

Wow. It was honestly better than I expected. I pick up an apricot growing from the wall and examine it. Seems to be a normal one from what I can remember. Yeah. Don't ask me how it works, I don't know the slightest bit about this place. My tummy let out a deep grumble. Without hesitation, I took a big bite from the apricot. The sweet flesh of the fruit was way more scrumptious than the fruit I'd tasted in my life! I sat down on the grassy floor to munch on it. I then spot dozens of ripe fruit growing on the wall. I could bring these delicacies back to my family, or maybe I could earn some cash by selling them! I spotted a few melons and kiwis hanging just above my head, using my clumsy hands, I grabbed the fruit and stash them in my pack.

CLUNK. I abruptly turn my head to the gate, which is now closed. I stand in shock.

"Didn't your mother teach you not to steal, boy?" A voice boomed from the ceiling.