The weight of everything was heavy on Sarah, so she decided to take a solo hike up to the ridge where the sunsets were rumored to be spectacular. She left a note for Richie, telling him she needed some time alone to think and would be back before dark.
The trail was quiet, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves and the distant call of birds. Sarah's thoughts swirled as she climbed, each step a chance to sift through the emotions that had been tearing her apart. The path grew steeper, but she welcomed the physical challenge as a distraction from her inner turmoil.
As she reached the ridge, the view took her breath away. The sun was beginning its descent, casting a golden glow over the landscape. She found a large rock to sit on and watched as the sky transformed into a canvas of oranges, pinks, and purples.
Lost in the beauty of the moment, she didn't hear the footsteps approaching. She was startled when Mark's voice broke the silence.
