Bittersweet

Chapter 2

Airy yawned as he sat up. He groaned slightly as he looked down at the ground. God, he’d forgotten how uncomfortable it was. Looking up at Liam, he debated whether or not to wake him. He stood, stumbling slightly, then poked Liam. Mentally shrugging, he decided not to wake him. He turned and left the hut, deciding to go collect some reeds.
As he walked up the cliff, he felt memories of his fall flood back. His breath hitched as he neared the bridge. He didn’t want to die again, he didn’t want to lose the bond he felt he was beginning to form with Liam. Gulping, Airy stepped onto the bridge.
He was going to be okay, he knew it.
One step.
He’s fine.
Two.
He’ll be okay.
Three…
He would be fine…?
Four…
…
He was okay, on the other side. He sighed in relief, as he stepped carefully over to the reed bed, where he began to pluck the reeds, placing them in his basket. He shut his eyes and sighed as he turned back to the bridge.
Liam sighed as he opened his eyes. Stretching, he stood up, looking around. Smiling slightly, he exited the hut. Not sure why he was so cheerful, he looked around, wondering where Airy had disappeared off to. Looking at the waterfall, he saw Airy standing by the bridge. Liam quickly began limping over to the bridge. He didn’t need Airy dying again.
Airy stared down at the bridge, anxiety flooding his body. Gulping, he tried to focus on keeping himself calm, he could make it, he had to make it.
One step.
He heard Liam call out.
Two steps.
He heard Liam scream out as he slipped.
“Airy!” Liam yelled as he grabbed Airy’s wrist, slipping forward.
“Back… Backpack…” Airy stared up at Liam, tears streaming down his face. Liam was extremely close to falling off the bridge, if he wasn’t careful…
Liam winced as his leg dragged forward. It was painful, and beginning to distract him. Airy reached up and grabbed onto the bridge, trying to pull himself up. He yelped as he felt it began to slide downwards. It had never done that before!
“Liam-” Airy yelled as the bridge slid off the shore, pulling Liam off the bridge and off the shore. Liam yelped as he fell, gasping as he hit the water. Liam quickly tried to pull his hand away from Airy, reaching up to grab something, anything! Airy reached up, grabbing Liam’s arm, neither of them thinking right. Liam shut his eyes and grabbed Airy again, pulling him up as much as he could, trying to get himself out of the water. He felt panic rising as he slipped back under. He didn’t know what to do-