Alaska is a frigid and desolate place to some. To others it holds beauty and power in its lands. Some go to leave everything behind, and some seek to find themselves. Everyone who explores the harsh terrain has one thing in common. They all long for...
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The great mountains and tree lines looked like veins running through the arctic land from the small plane window Tom stared out of solemnly. It was a beautiful sight, one of cold beauty Tom had always admired. He'd wanted to come on a trip like this forever, but now didn't feel like the right time. Nothing felt right to him anymore. He felt like everything he did just weighed him down more as a failure. Tom could sympathise with the land he saw passing in panorama beneath him. It was frigid and numb looking, a complete reflection of how he felt inside. Tom had just started to feel like he was unthawing inside since the accident but this trip may have been his friends pushing him into an oven instead of a gradual defrost on a sunny afternoon.
"Hey, Tommy, here's a Sprite and some pretzels." Tommy's friends Samantha offered. Tommy bleakly looked over and stared. Samantha was like the mom of the group, even though she was the youngest of their group, only 22. She was like those girls you see in Hollister ads, long blond hair that always looked like she washed it at the beach, and a soft tan with faint constellations of freckles perfectly placed. Bright blue eyes that looked like spring water that attracted all walks of life. She looked like the patron goddess of summer itself.
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Tommy gave an involuntary sigh, one to break himself out of his stupor, not one to seem like an ungrateful asshole. He regretted the sigh vehemently and tried to band-aid it with a reassuring smile. But Samantha could see right through his bullshit, she had an internal detector for lies. "Tommy... I know you probably really don't want to be here right now but you need this. This is your dream, Macy would want this for you."
At the mention of his little sisters name Tom thought his entire being would liquify into tears. He had cried so many timed over the last 6 months. Mostly in private, and half tears of grief, half anger. Anger at himself.
Tom couldn't believe it was spring break already. Though he had been out of school since the accident, nothing able to penetrate his mind other than his little sisters face, upside down, next to him in the passenger seat. Eyes closed and mouth slightly ajar, like she was peacefully asleep. Only a long, thick trail of crimson along her cheek ruining the image of a sleeping angel.
