Mind-Full

The hikers, struggling to extract oxygen out of the thin mountain air, paused to catch their breath. After a few minutes, they continued their climb. They had little choice in the matter. They had run out of leads. Consulting with him was their last option.

Old-Man Everett, as he was known in these parts, knew they were coming. His quiet mind recoiled at the idea. Desperation characterized the thoughts of these intruders. There was plenty of doubt and even fear amongst the tangle of minds, but there was hope as well. It was that hope that drove them to climb on. He strained to understand, his mind reaching down the mountain side, touching each of the members, looking for answers, fighting the urge to turn and flee from the overwhelming onslaught of thoughts.

The closer they came, the clearer the picture, like ripples calming in a watery pool to reveal the rocks below. A crime had been committed, that much was certain. All of the climbers were law enforcement officers but one. That one stood out for some momentarily unknown reason. He was involved some important way, yes that was it. The odd-one-out was the dad of a young girl that had gone missing from the town below. The plan was for all of them to solicit the reluctant help of Old-Man Everett.

He met them in front of his cabin, draped in a filthy sheepskin blanket. The leader came forward to explain but was silenced by a penetrating gaze. Old-Man Everett surveyed the group without saying a word. He already knew the answer to their unasked question. He slowly raised his arm, an old wrinkled hand emerging from the end of the blanket, a large knuckled finger extend in accusation.

“Him,” Everett stated. All heads turned towards the dad.

Word count 300