9
.
THE BOOK
The Book
Nichole Haines
The sun was beating fiercely through the break in the
trees.
Ro paused, panting, and leaned on her hiking stick.
She removed a water bottle from her backpack and took
a few sips.
She poured a little water over her face before
closing the bottle and returning it to her bag. Onward,
Ro thought to herself as she wriggled her legs and then
continued her ascend of the mountain.
The water had
cooled her enough that she did not feel as hot as before,
but she did feel gross as the sweat on her head began to
dry in place, like great, invisible, globs of salt that lined
her pores.
Perhaps, Ro pondered, I should have chosen
an indoor hobby.
She smirked at the thought.
She might
feel gross and tired, but there was nothing, in her mind,
121
9
.
THE BOOK
The Book
Nichole Haines
The sun was beating fiercely through the break in the
trees.
Ro paused, panting, and leaned on her hiking stick.
She removed a water bottle from her backpack and took
a few sips.
She poured a little water over her face before
closing the bottle and returning it to her bag. Onward,
Ro thought to herself as she wriggled her legs and then
continued her ascend of the mountain.
The water had
cooled her enough that she did not feel as hot as before,
but she did feel gross as the sweat on her head began to
dry in place, like great, invisible, globs of salt that lined
her pores.
Perhaps, Ro pondered, I should have chosen
an indoor hobby.
She smirked at the