Daniel belayed back down as I got into position. His feet hit the ground with a thump, then he looked over at me.Ready?Always.Nicole did the countdown from the top. I started fast, reaching the halfway mark head and shoulders above him. But that's when things got tricky, the holds and grips a little farther apart, and he had the advantage. By the three-quarter mark, he'd caught up.Better kick it up a notch, he said, as he drew alongside me. I know you really want those extra holds.And I'm sure you really don't want to make them. But don't forget the second part. You win, you gotta kiss me. Might be better to stick with the holds.
In the excerpt from "The Gathering," Daniel and another character prepare for a challenging climbing race. As they begin, Daniel hits the ground and signals readiness, while Nicole starts the countdown from above. The climb begins well for the narrator, who takes an early lead, but soon the difficulty increases and Daniel quickly catches up.
The friendly competition intensifies when Daniel encourages the narrator to push harder, reminding them of a playful bet: if the narrator wins, they'll get a kiss. This adds a light-hearted tension to their rivalry as they navigate the challenging course and their feelings for each other.
