Narrative Writing Coursework
Swiping bold stripes of iridescent paint on my cheeks and forehead, I felt the
adrenaline pumping from my head to toe like an electrical wave. The heartening
chants from the crowd soared in intensity as the contestants gained momentum. I have
waited so long for this moment to come.
Reach the Peak was advertised as a fun event where all participants would be
involved in mountain climbing and other extreme sports. There will be a party held
after the game for the district winners, and each will receive a certificate and a gold
metal with the peak of a mountain carved on it. This would be the first year for me to
win a lustrous gold metal, and the thought of it makes me grin in pride.
Despite my optimistic attitude towards an upcoming challenge, I didn’t feel much
in the mood as I watched Dylan Connor, now stomping his way to the starting line. I
have heard from the other contestants that he has mastered almost all kinds of extreme
sports and is determined to seize the title this year as well. Towering over me, he
clenched his fists, set his jaw, and then stood in a posture ready to battle. My teeth
chattered frenetically as a bone-chilling wind blew down my spine. The tongue in my
mouth twisted in knots, leaving me speechless. Instead, what came out of my mouth
was a long-drawn groan of dismay. Moments of emotional pain arrived like this,
meaningless or at least indecipherable. When the two of us exchanged glimpses at the
starting line, he gave me a disdained look and smirked abruptly.
“We’ll see who gets to the top of the mountain first, wimp.”
I mumbled for something bitter to say in response, but it came up simple.
“Well, break a leg then.”
“Ok contestants, on your marks, get set, GOOOO!”
As the gun triggers, I sprint at full tilt as if a musician were performing cresendo
and presto on the keys. The sharp winds blew against me like a howling jaguar
searching for its prey. Swiftly, I leaped from rock to rock, gripping the muddy ground
as I tried to stay in balance. I was like a rattlesnake, maneuvering through the
venturous terrain with a gentle sizzling sound in my breathing. Months of practice had
advanced my skills, transforming me into a fearless knight with my muscles as strong
as a shield. I dashed past one of the other costestants, bounded through the rocks and
pits along the way, and soared through a hidden forest. There was a single-plank
bridge connecting two undersized hills. The narrow trunk was no match for my
coordinated limbs; in a blink of an eye, I crossed it with ease. With my steps limber
and alert, I glided over the slippery stone walls and then ascended to the most rigorous
obstacle of the competition—rock climbing.
As I glanced back, my heart was instantly filled with relief as I saw Connor
stumbling as he navigated through the woods, an expression of uncertainty and
assurance juxtaposed on his face. I flashed him a wicked smile. What a slow runner, I
thought.
Without further hesitation, I sprinted to the final obstacle: a rocky, steep cliff that
seemed as tall as a skyscraper. I scrambled up the edged walls, my palm clutched
tightly on an uneved surface, turning my knuckles white with soreness. I staggered
upon finding a foothold and slid back down recklessly before realizing that someone
else was catching me up. I saw his hands covered with mud and scratches as he
continued the climb. I quickened up my pace; my shirt got tangled in a branch, and a
part of it was ripped off. At last, at last, I found purchase on a series of rocks obscured
by a crooked branch. I gasped for breath as I reached the top of the cliff. Glory at last,
I thought, Twenty more steps to go, and I will achieve victory.
From the crest of the cliff, I watched Connor as he sprawled up the cliff at
breakneck speed. Although I was not fond of him, I am still astonished by his
excellent climbing skills.
“BAM!” followed by an agonizing cry, then utter silence.
There lay Connor, crashing harshly to the ground. The whole atmosphere was
soundless, and now the only noise that could be heard was a sickening crack of
Connor’s bones upon the ground.
The whole world appeared to me as if everything was spinning and losing control.
Frantically, I slid down the cliff using a rope tied to my waist and back and finally
reached Connor. Body crumpled, eyes widened with fright, leg bent out of shape—it’s
definitely not possible for me to leave him like that. No, definitely not possible. And
yet, and yet, the finishing point, glittering with ultimate glory, is only twenty steps
away from me. How could I possibly not cross it?
“God,” I said, crouching next to him. “Are you okay, bro?”
Connor looked at me in disbelief, signaling for me to leave him and go.
“Go! Are you nuts or something?” He shouted, using his full strength. “It looks like
we have a wimpy winner this year; go get your medal and brag about it in school.”
Confidently, I grabbed him from under his armpit and yanked him to his feet,
supporting his weight as I tied the both of us on the rope, pulling us against gravity
up the cliff. We walked shoulder-to-shoulder towards the blurry finish line.
Nothing else matters anymore; we are winning this together.
“Hey”
“What?”
“Remember what I said at the beginning of the competition?”
“Break a leg?”
“Yeah, and you did.” We burst out in laughter.
The muddy footprints left on the steps when we crossed the finish line shone in a
dazzling ray of light.