Shadows of Our Pasts

Chapter 5 - The Cost

Recap: 

I slid forward, getting there in time to grab his forearm and begin pulling him up, but gravity was against us. 

And so, the two of us were stood at the very edge of the roof with our hands clamped around each other's forearms as we both tried to regain our balance in order to make sure he didn't fall. I looked into his eyes, feeling my heart pang as desperation and fear filled his expression, and I knew in that moment that my own expression shined with the determination to save him. 

No matter the cost.

Now:

I did my best to dig my feet into the roof even more, desperately trying to find some leverage that I could use - trying to ignore the panicked voices behind me so that I could focus. My eyes darted around, searching for something to make sure that we wouldn't fall, but there was nothing we could do and I could already see tears start to form in Snake's eyes as his grip began to loosen. I knew I had to do something, now, or he would slip out of my hands and fall. 

Even if this is just a one-story house, my neighborhood was a relatively wealthy neighborhood and the houses are larger than average, so the drop from this high roof could kill or seriously injure you depending on how you land. 

Suddenly, I realized that the entire time, I'd been trying to save both Snake and me...

But now I know what I must do. I vowed to protect them, I vowed they'd be safe with me, and I don't plan to go back on my words no matter the cost. 

With a new resolve behind my expression, I looked Snake in the eyes, calming myself down so I could in turn calm him. "Hey, Snake, just look at me okay? Don't look down, don't look anywhere else, just look at me." 

His eyes stopped searching for something to grab onto and they finally landed on me as he nodded to show he was listening. My grip began to falter as well, so I spoke quickly. 

"Alright bud, it's going to be okay, I promise. Just focus on getting to a safe part of the roof and everything will okay, you're going to be fine, so just stay calm." My grip loosened even more, telling me it was now or never. 

It had to be now. I took a breath, readying myself to do what I had to. 

"Okay Snake, just focus on the roof, focus on your friends," - the whole time, I could hear them panicking behind us but they were background noise I couldn't afford to listen to- "You're okay. I'm going to count to three, you just need to trust me, okay? One...two...three!"

On three, I pulled him up with my right arm - the one that had been gripping his forearm - while simultaneously pivoting the heels of my feet, turning my body as he came up so I could use my left arm to push him towards the others. 

However, in the process, I'd begun falling off the roof. I was now facing the group as I fell backward, able to watch as Snake was pulled to a safe spot by Russ. Jund tried to get to me to pull me up, but he couldn't get there fast enough. Fear was written all over his face as he reached out to me with a helpless expression, his hand barely grazing my fingertips before I slipped out of his reach.

But Cry...was nowhere to be seen. 

"Where did...he go?'

That was the last thought before I closed my eyes, letting myself fall as I had no time and no momentum to even turn or protect myself from it. 

As I awaited the painful impact of my body hitting the ground, it felt like time slowed down. Even though it was only a few seconds, my mind registered every single moment as my hair whipped around my face and my body relaxed - fully accepting my choice to save Snake.