The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 118

Josh stood frozen right next to Sloane, his grip tight on his duffel bag, looking as though he had been turned to stone. He stared at the distant glaciers, the glowing sapphire ice shelves, and the waddling penguins on the shoreline. The rims of his eyes were undeniably red.

Without a word, he bent down and scooped up a handful of snow. It was flawlessly white and bitingly cold against his bare skin. He buried his face in his hands, inhaling deeply.

The reverence in his expression made it seem like he was breathing in the most precious substance on earth.

Sloane remained quiet, simply watching him.

She understood exactly how he felt.

It was the overwhelming catharsis of a lifelong dream finally being realized. In that single moment, every year of waiting, every grueling sacrifice, and every ounce of suffering became completely worth it.

Professor Harrison walked up behind them, a fond smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he surveyed his emotional team.

"Alright, alright, reel it in, people," he announced, clearing his throat. "Coach Jensen, get up. Lying in the snow too long will seep the cold straight into your bones. Diego, put the phone away and listen to the safety briefing."

Liam Jensen begrudgingly hoisted himself up, dusting off his heavy parka. Diego pocketed his phone and jogged over to join the circle.

Professor Harrison coughed into his fist, shifting into his authoritative gear.

"Rule number one: No running. Listen to me, I know you're all running on adrenaline, but sprinting out here is a death sentence. There could be hidden crevasses right under the snowpack. If you fall in, nobody is coming to get you. Walk slowly, watch your footing, and step exactly in the footprints of the person ahead of you."

The group nodded in unison.

"Rule number two: No touching. No touching the penguins, the seals, or any wildlife whatsoever. I know they look cute, but your human scent can attract predators, or worse, cause mothers to abandon their young. If you love them, admire them from a distance."

Diego subtly yanked his hand back from where he had been waving at a nearby bird.

"Rule number three: Protect your eyes." Harrison pointed a gloved finger at the sky. "The UV radiation here is brutal, and the glare off the snow is blinding. Keep your sunglasses on at all times. Even if it feels overcast, keep them on. By the time your eyes start hurting, the damage is already done."

He reached into his coat pockets and passed out heavily polarized sunglasses to the team.

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