Fairies of The Black Circle

10

"Come on, David! It'll be fun!" The young boy, no more than ten years old, chuckled as he tugged on his friends arm.

It was a grey day, the clouds forming a smooth, blank canvas in the sky. The wind was strong, blowing back their hair and carrying the salty smell of the sea inland. Up on the cliff, David could see the vast expanse of dark blue that blended into the horizon spread out before him. Impressive as ever. Endless.

"You're proper loopy if you think I'm gonna do that, John." David giggled, shoving his friend his sideways. John laughed running his hands through his hair his smile lighting up his whole face.

"You're not a scaredy cat? Are you?" He poked, grinning cheekily. David flushed red, digging his boot into the ground in shame.

"No. 'course not. But ma's making chicken broth tonight. She'll do me in if let it get cold."

"Ooh! Chicken broth! Can I join pleeeeaase? Your ma makes it the best!" John asked hopefully, his big brown eyes wide like a puppy.

"Can't sorry. Curfew and all."

John's face fell, his lower lip jutted out sulkily.

"Aw, man. Screw the curfew." He whined. David's eyes went wide with fear and he hastily covered his friend's mouth with his hands.

"Shhhh, John. What if they hear you?" He looked around nervously, but there was no reply except the whistle of the wind past his ears. He carefully removed his hands and cleared his throat.

"Sorry. You're right." John whispered. "So about that jump then?" He regained the cheeky tone  in his voice.

"I don't know..."

"Please David! It will be absolutely hanging!" John pleaded, falling to his knees, his hands raised in prayer position.

"But what about the rocks?" David looked down the cliff edge nervously at the waves crashing against the jagged rocks, leaving white foamy trails as they dissolved back into the sea.

"C'mon it'll be fine. No risk no reward!" John marched up to the cliff edge, turning back around to face his best friend. He stretched his arms out on either side and puffed up his chest with all the courage he could muster.

"Well... If we're back by curfew then-" David began, his voice loaded with uncertainty.

"Yes, yes we will be. Promise." John nodded eagerly, glancing briefly up at the darkening sky. "Can't be having you miss out on your ma's chicken broth now. Besides they won't come till dusk. We have heaps of time! Go on then. Push me!" He commanded, stretching his arms out even farther into the crucifix pose.

"Hehe, I'm gonna kill you." David laughed in disbelief at what they were about to do, placing his hand on his friend's chest, finally giving in to his pleading. John clutched the hand dramatically with both of his own, gasping mockingly.

"Kill me, then. Kill me, David." He teased back, his words trailing away with laughter. David giggled with him and with one last look at the cheeky glint in his best friend's eyes, pushed him backwards .

"Yahooooo!" John's voice faded as he plummeted towards the water, an exhilarated smile on his face. David watched him as he landed, took three quick breaths, his feet shuffling nervously closer to the edge, and jumped after him.

In those fleeting moments, David experienced what he thought to be true freedom. The wind in his face. The way the air rushed past the gaps in his fingers. Adrenaline coursing through his veins.