J Moncrieff - Return to Dyatlov Pass

“Maybe someone else did it as a joke, like Anubha said, and now they’re too scared to admit it.”

“Who, Lana? Vasily? Igor was fast asleep until I went for that creep.”

“But Steven was as well, wasn’t he?”

Joe sneered. “He was faking it.”

“How would he have gotten back into his tent, never mind into his sleeping bag, before you came out and got him?”

“I had to find my knife. It gave him a head start.”

“Yeah, about that. I understand you were upset, but we can’t go around threatening each other with knives. If you have a problem with someone, please talk to Andrew or me about it, and we’ll resolve it. We can’t have anyone murdered on our watch.”

“I’m sorry; I lost my temper. That guy gets under my skin.”

“I know; he gets under mine as well. But I really don’t think he’s to blame this time.”

“Don’t tell me you believe in yetis too.”

From now on we know that snowmen exist.

“It has to be someone from our group playing a prank. I don’t know who, and I doubt we’ll ever find out. Who would admit it now?”

“Anubha said it didn’t sound human.”

Dread ran icy fingers along Nat’s spine, but she shook them off, doing her best to keep her imagination from running away with her. “Maybe it was an animal, an animal too light to leave tracks.” She gestured at Joe’s feet. The snow was packed firmly enough that his snowshoes rarely broke the surface. “Is it possible the shadow you saw was a trick of the light?”

“It was a man. No way it was an animal.”

She wished it had been Steven. That at least was a benign explanation. “Vasily was the only one who didn’t come out of his tent last night.”

“Vasily? What reason would he have for doing something like this?”

“I don’t know. I get the feeling he doesn’t think we should be here. Maybe he’s trying to scare us.”

“But if the expedition ends early, his pay would be cut short too, won’t it? He wouldn’t sacrifice that. Now that he’s here, I think he’s resigned to see it through.”

Was he? Nat wasn’t so sure. She didn’t like the way the Mansi had been conveniently absent whenever shit was going down. Perhaps he was trying to stay out of it, but his obvious disapproval grated on her. She wouldn’t have put it past him to sabotage the expedition.

What a mess. Who was she supposed to trust? At least she had Andrew.

At that moment, Igor yelled from behind them, startling her so much she nearly lost her balance. “Help! Help, I need help.”

Nat turned to see her dearest friend lying facedown in the snow.

The Mansi frowned. “This no good. I must go back, get help.”

Even though she didn’t trust him, the idea of Vasily leaving them alone on the pass terrified her. “No, if you leave, we all do. We can’t stay here without you. It’s not safe.”

“I’m okay. I’ll be fine. It was just low blood sugar.” Andrew’s head was propped on Lana’s lap, in front of an impromptu campfire Igor and Steven had started. Since he’d regained consciousness, he’d been sucking back electrolyte packets like nobody’s business, and Nat had to admit he did look a lot better.

“You don’t know that, Andrew. You could have had a heart attack,” Lana said. “You need to see a doctor. This is too dangerous.”

“If it were a heart attack, he wouldn’t have recovered so quickly.” Steven took off his glove to lay his hand on Andrew’s chest. After a moment, he shook his head. “It feels normal. Slow, steady. It wasn’t a heart attack. Probably a combination of low blood sugar, stress, and exhaustion.”

“Are you willing to stake his life on that? Because I’m not.” Lana held her hand to Andrew’s forehead, narrowing her eyes, as if daring Steven to take him away from her. “Doesn’t anyone have any medical training?”

“Only what I’ve learned in the bush, but I agree with Steven, for what it’s worth. I don’t think it was a heart attack,” Anubha said.

Nat watched them debate the health of her friend, unable to speak, though inside she was screaming. If something happened to him, if he died because of her, because of this stupid expedition, she’d never forgive herself.

“I don’t think we should take the chance. Lana’s right; it’s too risky.” Joe put his arm around his wife, looking down at Andrew. It drove Nat crazy to see how people were staring at him, as though he were some strange species of bug under a microscope.

“I’m fine, honest. I think I needed rest, is all. How much farther is it to the site?” Andrew asked.

Steven reached for his GPS, but the Mansi beat him to it. “About an hour, maybe two. But it’s all uphill.”

“Maybe we could make some kind of litter and carry him.” Steven looked at the other men for affirmation. “He doesn’t seem that heavy.”

“You don’t have to carry me. This is silly. I got dizzy and passed out. That’s it. It’s not like my leg is broken or anything. I need to take it a little easier, is all.” Andrew finished another electrolyte packet, handing the empty container to Lana. “Christ, this is embarrassing.”

“Nat, this is really your call. What do you want to do?”

Steven’s question startled her from her inertia. “I think we should turn back.”

“No, Nat. We can’t. Please don’t call it quits because of me. Please.” Andrew’s eyes pleaded with her, but she refused to let him sway her. “You haven’t even interviewed anyone yet.”

“I’m sorry, Andy, but I’m not going to risk your life for some stupid podcast. It’s not worth it.”

“Going down the pass could be more dangerous, though. Vasily’s right—it’s probably best if he goes for help while the rest of us stay put. If there is something wrong with Andrew’s heart and he collapses out here…” Steven didn’t finish his thought, but he didn’t need to. The idea of it was enough to make Nat feel like screaming again.

“Jesus Christ, there’s nothing wrong with my heart. I got a physical before we left. Clean bill of health. I just overdid it today.”

“What did you feel like before you passed out?” Anubha asked.

“Dizzy. I couldn’t catch my breath, and I couldn’t focus. My vision went black, and there were little dots in front of my eyes.”

“Any chest pain, or pain through the arms? Any pressure right here?” She tapped her fingers against her breastbone.

“None. I felt dizzy for a moment, and then boom! I was out.”

“It doesn’t sound like a heart attack. Sometimes the altitude can get a bit much for people, because the air is thinner. But you’re from California, not the Plains. It should be easier for you.”

“Maybe I wouldn’t have made it this far if I were from the Plains. My usual exercise is running my mouth. Tell them, Nat.”

If Andrew was back to cracking jokes, he probably wasn’t on death’s door. Nat forced a smile, but it felt weak. Her own heart rate hadn’t returned to normal yet. “He does go to the gym, but mostly for window shopping.”

Lana laughed, but Steven had a blank expression that indicated her wit had gone over his head. No surprise there. “Even if we decide to send Vasily back to the village, it’s getting too late. I suggest a few of us go on ahead and set up camp at the site. Once everything’s in place, I’ll return to help with Andrew,” he said.

“I feel a million times better. I think I’ll be fine getting to the site under my own power.” To prove it, Andrew sat up, but Nat didn’t miss the wince he tried to hide. Shit. She’d prepared for nicks, cuts, and bruises, but hadn’t anticipated a life-threatening illness. The dread she’d felt since arriving in Russia pressed heavier on her shoulders.