The hike had been hard, more difficult than I could have imagined. The cuts and gashes that covered me stung with a vengeance as I slipped under the surface. My aching joints protested. Why could there not have been a hot spring, instead of a pool of glacial runoff? Despite how it’s icy grip enveloped me, it still gave some degree of relief to scrub off the dust and sweat. Silver moonlight slid over my skin as my bruises deepened into purple with every moment. Exhaustion would have overtaken me, save for the shooting agony from every muscle and cut.
You may as well sidle up and warm your hands.