The trail wove its way through a deceptively Mediterranean landscape. Grey boulders dabbled with orange lichen lounged amongst the vegetation of prickly pear cacti, slender trees draped in webs of Spanish moss, pockets of green grass, tussock and small, hardy shrubbery. Ahead, clouds billowed down the slopes, casting shadows.

For a time, the ground remained more or less flat, and the progress was steady going — an almost leisurely stroll. At least for those with lightweight bags. Even Khai and Savannah, who had elected to save money by carrying their bedding and essentials in backpacks stuffed to the brim, had no difficulty keeping pace.

About an hour into the hike, a thumping reached through the earth and tickled Thomas' toes, then moved up his body until it reverberated through the air and pounded in his eardrums.

He stopped and watched, forehead wrinkled and mouth open, as a troupe of porters ran past, shouldering huge lumpy sacks like human-sized ants.

"My God," he breathed.

Nadia shook her head in disbelief. "They're fucking nuts."

Thomas quirked his lip at the comment and took her hand with a fluttering heart. It was the first she had spoken in some time. He rubbed his thumb against her hand, allowing himself a moment to enjoy the sensation of her sweaty palm in his, the fresh air and the faint buzz from sleep deprivation. He had a sense that something waited for him on this road. That when he reached its end, things would be different, one way or another, and a shiver of anticipation passed through him.

Unfortunately, there was an impediment to his goal — one that heralded itself from around the bend in a racket of cock-sure comments.

"Come on," Thomas said, tugging on Nadia's suddenly wooden arm. A moment later, it was her dragging him.

Good, he thought. Better that than retreating into herself again.

After a time, the track angled upwards, and they began a gradual ascent. Lazy muscles sparked and ignited a small fire in his legs. Nadia was a brisk walker, athletic despite her small frame. With determination in her eyes, she chewed up the miles in short, quick steps, while at her side, Thomas' taller proportions ate up the distance at a more sedate march. Soon, the rest of the group fell behind and were forgotten. It was just him and her.

She relaxed. Her shoulders slumped, and her hands unclenched.

Noticing this, Thomas felt a pang of guilt. He should have found another tour company to hijack. Then again, he reasoned, if she was ever going to get over Khai, to see him for what he was, then this was the perfect opportunity. Plus, she had paid for this tour — twice over.

The path became steeper and pinnacled at a rise. They clambered up over it, then wordlessly made for a platform of weathered rock hanging over a valley where they sat in silence for some time, arms wrapped around their legs, elbows touching.

Below them was an ancient agricultural ruin — rows and rows of concentric green terraces, supported by granite walls that stepped up to the foot of a mountain. Boulders, rocks and shingle had rolled down the slope and lay sprawled about, white-grey memorials to long-gone livestock.

"That is Patallacta," said Miguel, who had approached on silent feet. He didn't seem to expect a response, so Thomas didn't give one, electing to let the quietude stretch.

An eagle cried out overhead, distracting him, and he squinted his eyes against the sun to take in the dark silhouette circling with outstretched wings, riding invisible wind currents. Footsteps and barks of laughter brought him back to earth. Dark blotches moved across his vision as he focused in their direction.

The cream tip of Trent's beanie was the first thing to appear, followed by a long narrow face, then a tall, thin body.

"Mate!" Trent called out to someone behind him. "Come check this out!" Wool tassels swung across his face as he moved to the outcrop, and stopped centimetres from Thomas, a substantial bulge in a pair of tiny blue shorts almost touching his nose. Thomas jerked his head back, unwittingly reading the sewn-on football logo. Thankfully, the man flopped down next to him, and Thomas blinked the image from his eyes.

Rob appeared a moment later. "That's sick!" He rushed over, stopping precariously close to the edge, the blue tassels of his matching beanie swinging as he peered down.

"Careful!" said Nadia, twisting closer to Thomas, her eyes rolling. "It's frickin' dangerous up here."

"All good, babe." Rob winked at Thomas and then faced her. "I'll protect you."

"Yeah right, more like I'll clean up your splattered remains."

Trent laughed good-naturedly and elbowed Thomas. "You'd better watch Rob. He's a bit of a chick magnet."

A snort sounded from Nadia, and Thomas felt her body press against his.

Smiling, he stretched his neck and scrutinised the man who was dressed almost identically to Trent, with even-shorter black shorts peeking out from a white singlet. He couldn't help but chuckle at the men's obvious attempts to show off their muscles. Beside him, he heard Nadia mutter, "Bloody bogans."

What's a bogan? he wondered, pondering the thought until he heard a new voice.

"Oi, amigos!"

Sensing Nadia had stiffened, Thomas unhooked his right hand from his knee and put it around her waist.

Rob moved back from the edge. "Yo, Khai."

"Buddies, que haciendo?"

"Yeah, dunno what you're saying mate," said Rob, scratching his head. "Can't speak Spanish."

An awkward silence stretched out until Nadia spoke in a strangled voice. "Just admiring the view."

Khai dismissed the comment and moved to the other side of the ledge. "How awesome is this!" He breathed in deep and let out a heavy sigh. "This is why I am a traveller." He paused to assess the surrounds, chest forward, hand shielding his eyes.

Thomas, wanting to push the bastard over the edge, distracted himself by tickling a thumb over Nadia's thigh and feeling her shiver. He was pleased to receive a scowl from the prat and returned it by spreading a calm veneer of self-satisfaction across his face.

Khai shifted his attention. "Hey Miguel, come estas?"

"Bien, Khai. Where is your lovely friend?"

"Oh — er ... Savannah? She's coming. Should be here soon." He shook off his luggage and began setting his SLR on a tripod, whistling as he worked.

Time ticked away to the rapid clicks of a camera shutter. More members of the party arrived, James and Jude first, then Savannah chatting in broken French with Sara and Genevieve.

"'Ey, Sav!" said Khai then turned back to his work.

"Hun!" She dropped her bag in the dirt with a grunt. "Why'd I let you talk me into carrying this?"

"I could carry it for you," said Trent, brows moving suggestively.

Savannah ignored him, gliding over to Khai on long, slender bronze legs. She rested her chin on his shoulder but was shrugged off.

"Babe, I need to focus."

In response to the look of disappointment that flashed across her face, Thomas gave her a sympathetic smile. She returned it and squatted behind him and Nadia, offering a stilted small talk.

Noon approached, and with it, the savoury scent of cooking crept up from the other side of the rise, settling about them. Thomas' stomach growled. Experiences like this might be about the journey, but the day revolved around food.

Shortly after the remaining stragglers joined them, Miguel announced that lunch was not a few minutes away.

"You coming, Thomas?" Nadia asked.

In answer, he leapt up, pulled her to her feet and hurried down.

After yet another huge meal and a short downhill hike, the remainder of the afternoon was spent travelling ever uphill. Clumps of twisted trees lined the trail, their roots snaking over the compressed earth. Periodically, entrepreneurial locals had established wooden stalls that sold a variety of paraphernalia, ranging from bottles of water and soda to carved walking sticks and knitted hats.

Thomas was happy to stop, pretending to browse, as he regained his breath in the steadily thinning air.

In the mid-afternoon, as the sun started to dip over the mountains, a small, fat woman managed to catch his attention, grinning with silver-capped teeth.

"Chiclets!" she said in a high-pitched voice, holding out some small yellow packets of sugary chewing gum.

Thomas noted the woman was chewing the gum in question and quickly decided against the treat.

The figure promptly turned her attention to other tourists. "Chiclets! Empanadas!"

Her cries were cut off by the howl of a two-stroke bike descending rapidly. Thomas pulled Nadia out of the way as a teenage boy navigated it down the hill recklessly as any motocross rider, inhaling a cocktail of petrol fumes and dust.

Nadia coughed next to him, holding her arm across nose and mouth. "Urgh!"

Sensing her opportunity, the woman said, "Chicha?" Indicating to a large pot that looked like it had been filled with dirty water.

Nadia leaned over and sniffed. "It's supposed to be good you know."

Thomas shrugged. "Cuanta cuesta?" he asked.

The price was exorbitant, but the metallic taste at the back of his throat was growing stronger. He decided that regular water wasn't going to cut it.

He handed over the money and received two plastic cups in return, handing one to Nadia.

She raised hers. "Salut."

They sipped together, eyes meeting. "God, Nadia!" Thomas spluttered. "I don't know where you get your tips, but I think I'd prefer the petrol."

A devilish smile broke across her face. "That's no way to make friends with the locals, Thomas."

He turned to the woman, mortified at the prospect of having offended yet another local. The woman stared back at him placidly enough. But just in case, he pulled back his lips in his best attempt at a smile and lifted his glass. The responding one on her face seemed genuine. Against his better judgement, Thomas polished off the rest of the drink in a series of frantic gulps.

The woman nodded her head in satisfaction, or perhaps, he wondered as the tingle of tipsiness set in, in sadistic pleasure.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Amigos — Friends

Bogan — A person whose speech, clothing or attitude is unrefined (Australian/ New Zealand slang)

Que haciendo? — What are you doing?

Come estas? — How are you?

Bien — Good

Chiclets — A brand of candy-coated chewing gum that is popular in Peru

 Empanadas — A pastry with a savoury filling

Chicha — An alcohol made from fermented maize (other variations are possible too)

Cuanta cuesta? — How much is it?

Photo sourced from: https://www.andeanhikersperu.com/