Bridge Jumper Comes Back To Life For Help: The Century Curse

009

The sound of a train horn bellowed out, cutting through the trees of the neighboring woods. The wooden boards of the bridge creaked and cracked as they compressed under the weight of the rolling metal. Ian and Diana watched as the setting sun peeked through each passing multi-colored cart. Though they flashed by, they could make out bits of graffiti from varying artists. As the caboose passed, they climbed back up the slope and continued on their walk.

Diana challenged Ian to a balancing contest on the metal rails. And after many pleas, followed by provoking statements claiming his inability, he gave in to her request. He found her smile contagious as she laughed at his multiple failed attempts, his coordination clearly lacking.

However, the lingering butterflies in his stomach refused to disperse with each moment they encroached on the bridge. Ian'd been dealing with an absence of proper sleep from the night before. Knowing this gorgeous girl would stay another night in the same house only intensified the nauseating feelings. But... only if she survives again.

Their day of food, conversations, and other activities came to a close, and it felt like their friendship grew stronger.

As he stepped out onto the first floating plank of the bridge, his stomach dropped. The heights of the mountain gnawed at his psyche. He stopped and stepped back a moment, his survival instinct telling him to stay away from a place so dangerous.

But Diana continued on as if nothing changed. Her arms swayed back and forth as she carried on with her display of proper balance. So, he had no choice. Each step proved more difficult as his balance failed him, even on the thick wood slabs. His view funneled between each plank, showing a lower part of the cliff.

Diana playfully hopped off the rail she was so fond of and pushed her body against one of the reinforced metal banisters of the bridge.

Though Ian stopped to witness this cute event, his situation remained dire as he crept along. Eventually, he regrouped with the girl. A smelly mixture of pinewood trees and wildflowers rode the waves of air under their noses. Diana smiled, her eyes looking over the valley of bike trails, rivers, and animals roaming betwixt the trees. To him, she seemed content, elated at the beautiful view they got to share.

At the moment, he wasn't sure what proved more beautiful. The girl beside him, or the rainbow hues of the clouds. Honestly, both reminded him of Diana. The fluff in the sky colored just so reminded him of the day they'd first met.

But only after soaking in the light did Ian notice the girls' sights glancing down over the side of the bridge. Ian followed her lead, and sure enough, he was instantly sick. Flavors of the cheap burger dinner they'd partaken in earlier were palatable once more. Successfully keeping it down, he regained his composure and turned to question the girl. But he watched as his moment passed, the girl already atop the rail looking as if she were a professional sky diver.

"Wait!"

"What?" She replied, looking at him as she seated herself on the worn guardrail. "I was just getting situated is all."

Ian looked at her, panic filling his mind. But he needed to stay calm if he planned on being there to support her. "I don't know how you're so comfortable up there."

She laughed. "Are you kidding? I used to hate heights! There'd been a school field trip to an amusement park once. I prepared myself all week to ride the slowest coasters they had. But once I got there, I just couldn't do it."

He contemplated her confession for a moment before retorting. "That stuff doesn't bother me, but this? This is a little much for me."

Diana smiled at him. He could tell that she realized the predicament she'd put him in, but he reassured her he didn't regret coming.