29,035

I was buffeted by the strong wind as I stood atop the glorious peak of Mount Everest. Grinning with the pride of attaining these hights, I surveyed the impeccable view and stumbled. My knees hit the snow. Grimacing, I stood back up, slowly. If I had been at sea level, I would have slapped myself for my awful clumsiness. Here, there wasn't enough oxegyn for me to even speculate punishing myself for my mishap. As I was recovering from my first fall, my second one ocurred. And that was not a fall I would soon forget.

I was about head back down the mountain when I tripped over something barely sticking out of the snow. It was a switch. Before I knew what was happening, I was falling down a deep hole.

From the top of Mount Everest.

Which is 29,035 feet above sea level.

Which, according to my altimeter, is how far I fell.

I don't remember hitting the bottom, just that all of a sudden, I seemed to be standing in sort of a control room. The large room was blindingly white, adorned with silver buttons and levers all over the walls. A man with sandy blonde hair was sitting in a matching silver chair with his back towards me. When he turned aroud and smiled at me, I felt like I was once more at the top of Mt. Everest: breathless. He had perfect features, blue eyes, and a dazzling smile. I was so in love.

But I was also angry.

"Where am I? If you can't tell from my crazy clothing, I was just at the top of Mt. Everest. Where am I?!"

For a few moments, he laughed silently at my flustered words. Then he replied. "You're in Control Center, and I need your help. The world will soon tear apart."

I was speechless.