“Still blowing a blizzard then?” shouted Rusty as Clint threw himself into the tent.
“Yeah, but we don’t give up. Only two thousand feet more. We can be up and down in eight hours.”
“We’ve done well. Come far together. As mates. As climbers.”
Clint didn’t answer immediately. He knew Rusty was having an affair with his wife and he knew Rusty didn’t know he knew.
“Yeah, good mates.” Clint lit another candle.
“So tomorrow,” asked Rusty, “That ice bridge. Reckon we’ll be okay?”
“Yeah, we’ll be roped up, if, y’know … .”
Clint smiled to himself in the semi-gloom.
This for Rochelle’s Friday Fictioneers 100 word challenge.
patrickprinsloo 
Pretty foreboding.. I guess the fall will be long… aaahaaahhahhaaaa
It’s a long fall indeed. Forever.
Where’s Rusty’s side of the story? Maybe both are in for a surprise. Great revenge story.
Absolutely right. Maybe Rusty knows that Clint knows … !
Great revenge story!
Thank you.
Patrick, nicely done! Now let’s read the next chapter and see what happens next ….
Thanks for that. But Rusty had the draft of the second chapter in his back pack, so we have a great loss to the world of literature.
So much packed in 100 words… very well written.
Thanks very much.
Partrick, Good story with a lot of tension. I don’t think I’d try anything with a person I was roped to. We might both go down. Well written. 🙂 —Susan
Definitely no ropes. Thanks for comments.
So much for the buddy system 😉
Good read!
Well, thanks for reading.
There’s an icy wind a blowin’ and it ain’t outside.
That’s fer certain. Thanks fer readin’.
Such a devious plan he has in mind.
Well, thanks for reading.
Very clever, Patrick. 100 words is just perfect for meaningful snapshots of time – not quite at the action, but at the build-up. Great rhythm and pace, I agree with Dreamer of Dreams.
Thanks for that. Ego massage appreciated.
I think Clint should take the high road and climb the rest of his life road with different partners. Good story.
And win his wife bacl. Thanks for commenting.
Wonderful! Fantastic build up and I love Clint’s smile in the semi-gloom. I think Rusty may be in trouble…
And Mrs Clint later on! Thanks for visiting.
Dear Patrick – I love revenge and on a dangerous mountain – wow this is excellent! I enjoyed reading it and guessing who is coming off the bridge on the other side? Well done! Nan 🙂
Thanks, Nan. But maybe Rusty will make the first move?
Not looking good for Rusty then. Great take on the prompt.
I think Rusty’s toast. In the snow. Patrick
That story leaves me with a sense of dread. Well done!
Dread is what I was looking for. Thanks for reading.
oh boy. Delicious thriller in the making. (similar thought patterns this week, eh?) Well done.
I don’t think Clint is as bright as your First Wife, though!
All for the love a woman…or is it more about ego?
Good question!
As if the climb wasn’t risky enough- now there’s vengeance thrown into the mix! A perfect recipe for disaster. Though, I don’t feel bad for Rusty one bit. What was he thinking going on a private expedition up a mountain with Clint?! I love the multiple genres of your story. A very intriguing read!
Silly Rusty. Bad Clint. Foolish Mrs Clint. People!
Ooh. Note to self: never go on a dangerous expedition after sleeping with your partner’s wife. This is a brilliant idea and so well-written. I really enjoyed it.
Or keep your ice axe (?) very sharp.
The sinister touch beautifully achieved. 🙂
Ah, thank you.
Everything about this story is perfect. It gives you just enough information to wonder what happens next. There’s so much to learn from this. 🙂
Generous comment. Thank you.
Dear Patrick,
Little does Rusty know what Clint knows and what we all now know. Oh no! Good build of tension.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks. But maybe Rusty does know … . Perhaps my omniscience is flawed.
Dear Patrick,
This is why you don’t &^%$ where you eat. Great story here. It makes me wonder who really knows what and what will transpire on the ice bridge.
Aloha,
Doug
The ice bridge is where it will all happen if anything does happen. Who knows?
This story has just the right amount of tension, foreboding and delicious revenge!
Thanks, Jane. I was trying for that.
Okay, I’m new to your blog, but love the idea and was interested in the storyline very quickly. I see someone already commented on it, but great pacing there. Good job!
Kind of you to say so. Thanks for reading.
Whew! That was brilliantly done! Perfectly structured, good pacing, taut and spare. Love it!
Thanks. Generous comment.