\u201cThe Antarctic cold definitely feels a lot different from the cold in Idaho,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cSure does,\u201d Rodger said as he flicked the mini-icicles off of his thick mustache. \u201cOnce we cross this next glacier wall, we\u2019ll have reached the edge of the earth.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam and Rodger trudged on with their overstuffed backpacks through the wintry terrain, looking like a pair of snails with shells full of climbing equipment and survival supplies.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI really think we should turn around,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we\u2019re almost there,\u201d Rodger said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rodger pulled out his map. A harsh gust of wind swept it off into the snowy distance.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cSee!\u201d Adam said. \u201cEven the wind is telling us to go back!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rodger checked his compass. The red needle was frozen stiff, as if it had given up on doing its one and only job. Rodger tapped the glass face of the compass, but the needle wouldn\u2019t budge.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so cold that the compass broke,\u201d Adam said. \u201cIf that isn\u2019t a sign, I don\u2019t know what is.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not broken,\u201d Rodger said. \u201cIt\u2019s just confused.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam sighed and rolled his eyes. \u201cHow much further do we have to go?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rodger pointed ahead with the focus of an olympic athlete. \u201cIf we keep moving, we should get to the glacier wall within an hour,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam came to a halt and forcefully planted his boots into the snow. \u201cI have something to tell you,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d Rodger asked as he hiked on.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t really think the earth is flat,\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rodger choked on his own snot from laughing so hard. \u201cYou\u2019re kidding,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cRodger!\u201d Adam said. \u201cIt just doesn\u2019t make sense!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rodger stopped. \u201cWait,\u201d he said. \u201cYou\u2019re being serious?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cYes!\u201d Adam answered.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you not watch the YouTube documentary I sent you?\u201d Rodger asked.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one ever actually watches videos that people send them,\u201d Adam said. \u201cEspecially when they\u2019re two-hours-long.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThen why did you decide to come?\u201d Rodger asked.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam took a deep breath. \u201cI thought it would be a good bonding experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rodger squints. \u201cA bonding experience?\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI just feel like we\u2019ve been drifting apart from each other the past few years,\u201d Adam said. \u201cLike, there\u2019s this fracture growing between us.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rodger took a seat in the snow. \u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to accomplish something amazing before I turn thirty,\u201d he said. \u201cYou know, to prove that there\u2019s something special about me.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease don\u2019t go all Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront on me,\u201d Adam said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s true,\u201d Rodger said. \u201cI feel like my life has been disappointment after disappointment.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ve been my best and only friend for almost my whole life,\u201d Adam said. \u201cThat\u2019s a pretty awesome accomplishment.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rodger entered a deep stare. \u201cI\u2019d shed a tear right now but it might freeze,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam smiled. \u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d he said as he held his hand out to Rodger. \u201cLet\u2019s get to that glacier wall.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rodger grabbed Adam\u2019s hand and popped up from the ground. \u201cTo the glacier wall!\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam dusted the snow off of his coat. \u201cAfter that, I\u2019m not going any further.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no further,\u201d Rodger answered.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Adam took another deep breath as they traveled on.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
After scaling the glacier wall, Rodger and Adam pulled themselves to the top of the summit and gazed ahead. The sun\u2019s faded rays shone a gentle glisten across miles and miles of frozen tundra.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Rodger dropped to his knees. \u201cIt\u2019s not the edge of the earth,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it sure is a beautiful view,\u201d Adam said as he placed his hand on Rodger\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Zach Murphy \u201cThe Antarctic cold definitely feels a lot different from the cold in Idaho,\u201d Adam said. \u201cSure does,\u201d Rodger said as he flicked the mini-icicles off of his thick mustache. \u201cOnce we cross this next glacier wall, we\u2019ll have reached the edge of the earth.\u201d Adam and Rodger trudged on with their… <\/p>\n