The surprising structure of a journey that inspired a surprising structure of a story

The Meeting ("narrative now" - written in present tense)

Leon - the start / reasons for riding (shifts to past tense)

Noel - the start / reasons for riding

Leon - believes world is sketchy / world proves him right

Noel - believes world is good / world proves him right

Leon - world is sketchy / but trail magic opens his eyes

Noel - hardest part / never doubts he will make it

Leon - hardest part / doubts he will make it

Noel - how it ends / what's at stake (FLASH FORWARD, tense change)

Leon - how it ends / what's at stake (FLASH FORWARD, tense change)

The Meeting ("shift back to present tense")