The Mountain Between Us

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, child abuse, and animal death.

Ben talks to Rachel about their first few years together. They used to run together for enjoyment, without the pressure of keeping time. Once, while they were on the beach, they saw a kid fall while surfing. He washed ashore with his broken board, and Rachel ran to his home to get his parents. When she returned, Ben had the kid happy and laughing. Rachel commented on how Ben would be a great doctor, and it was the first time Ben ever talked about his future.

That night, Ben packs the snow around Ashley’s legs multiple times. She wakes up vomiting and feeling worse than the night before. Ben resolves to get them food and find a new place where they have a better chance of rescue. He makes snowshoes and then packs up Grover’s crossbow and fishing pole as well as sleeping gear in case he doesn’t make it back before nightfall. He assures Ashley that he’ll return but tells her not to worry if he’s gone until morning because he isn’t sure what the conditions will be like.

Before he leaves, they discuss Tank. Neither of them can remember his name, so Ben suggests that they call him Napolean.