Om. Step. Mani. Step. Padme. Pause. Hum. Gasp.
I repeat the mantra in slow unison with each shuffling step as I painfully inch my way up to the pass.
“Time. For. A. Rest,” I announce breathlessly.
I collapse onto the snow, my lungs screaming for oxygen, while Kunchok sits patiently beside me, lighting a cigarette.

BOOM… BOOM… BOOM…!
I sat motionless, as the slightest movement caused internal explosions in my head.
A voice permeated my foggy consciousness. BOOM. 
I refocused my eyes and slowly gazed sideways. BOOM.