Extract1

Calvin and Praveen are hiking up a mountain and notice a campfire. They continue climbing and discuss how mountains are peaceful because there are fewer people. They hear a gunshot and hide behind ferns, discovering Toad, Stinger, and a famous actor, Garjan Menkar, with a leopard. Extract 1. The tallest mountain peaks are always there in the distance. The sun rises behind them. At dawn, the air fills with birds and trees. In the growing light, Calvin spots the remains of a campfire at the side of the path. We run and place our hands over it. It's still warm. We walk higher and higher, climbing up to the mountain tops. My mom always says that up in the mountains, there are always fewer people, which means there are fewer thots. It's one of the reasons why it's so peaceful. Says Praveen. I never thought about it like that before. The air is thinner up here. I can feel it in my chest. I hear twigs cracking up ahead. Praveen raises his finger to his lips. We tiptoe onwards. A smaller path has been made through the trees, off the main path. Praveen beckons me that way. I grip the camera in my hand. Suddenly, a shot rings out into the air. It echoes off the mountain, disturbing the stillness. I duck behind some ferns, pulling Praveen down with me. We crawl forwards on our hands and knees towards the sound. I can hear men's voices ahead. Peering between ferns, I see Toad and Stinger and a tall man who must be the film star, Garjan Menkar. In front of them is a leopard.