The Late Start Up the Hill

Cyrus and Bea started their hike too late. It was already three in the afternoon.

They wanted to reach the top of Pine Hill before sunset. The trail map said it usually took three hours.

"We only have three hours of daylight," Cyrus said. "We need to move fast."

They walked quickly up the first part of the trail. The path was steep and rocky.

After an hour, they stopped to check the map. They were only halfway to the top.

"We are late," Bea said. "Let's skip the long break and eat while we walk."

They ate their sandwiches while they climbed. This saved them almost twenty minutes.

Near the top, the trail split into two paths. One was long but smooth. The other was a steep shortcut.

"Let's take the shortcut," Cyrus said. "We don't have much time left."

They climbed the steep path carefully. They used their hands on the rocks. Bea's legs burned, but she kept going.

They reached the top when the sun touched the horizon. The whole sky turned orange and pink.

Cyrus took out his phone and took a photo of the view. "We are at the top," he said. "Right on time."