Three ex-husbands and a marriage

Falling

The ropes that are sewn into the woven bag and tied around the carriage is thicker than my torso and much more sturdy. Its thickness and the way the bag hangs off the cliff edge makes the rope surprisingly climbable. I decided that my best chance at getting the material is to shuffle my body upwards, like a caterpillar making its way up a branch towards the delicious tender bud.

This proved to be a successful tactic and the higher I got the more confident I felt and the faster I wiggled. 

I thought that at this rate, I would become invincible but that all abruptly stopped when I accidentally looked down and froze in cold sweat. The swaying forest below promises almost instant death if I fall!

My vision began to blur and my strength weakened. Instinctively, I hugged the rope tighter, but instead of allowing myself to wallow in fear, I forced myself to take slow deep breaths and steadied my pounding heart. There is no other alternative but to keep going, so with the makeshift blade that was strapped to my back, I continued my shuffle upwards. The confidence took a hit but I continued onwards, however progress was much slower.

When I finally reached the tip of the heavy fabric, I stretched out the makeshift extended knife and started slicing along the seam of the thickened sewing. Despite aching arms and torso, I continued until I couldn't push through anymore.

Slowly but surely the woven bag unravelled and large pieces of heavy fabric fell downwards into the carriage underneath. I could only get about a third of the woven material before my body forced me to give up. By now, the sun had long set and the sky darkened so much that I could barely see the carriage below. In the distance, howls of wild beasts sent my heart thumping rapidly.

I slowly shuffled backwards without daring to look down into the black abyss. When I finally reached the carriage walls I nearly slipped from exhaustion but luckily made it back in one piece. I slumped back into the carriage and laid next to the still unconscious man. His steady breathing and undulating chest assured me that he was still alive.

I closed my eyes for a few minutes but instantly slipped into deep sleep. I found myself nestled against his warm body, using his arm as my personal pillow when I was awaken by the morning sun as it filled the valley. I tried to lick my cracked lips but my dry tongue did more harm than good. Recounting how many sunrises I have seen, I guess that this is the third day I have gone without water or food. I forced myself to sit up and began to work on the fabric.

Once I started I began to lose track of time, the sun rose and set and rose again. I worked during daylight and slept when I could no longer work. Finally, after long hours of cutting heavy fabric and tying them together I have a pile of long rope, bloodied fingers, swollen hands and sore shoulders.

All this time Man Chiu remained sleeping like a baby. Surely his powers is protecting him from the normal processes of deterioration. His cheeks rosy, his lips moist and his face still extremely handsome.

I eyed him enviously and tried to lick my cracked lips out of habit. After many days of starvation and dehydration, I know I am on the edge. If I don't leave here, I will definitely die in this carriage.

I tied the rope to the carriage and lowered it downwards. The rope flew past the treetops and disappeared into the green foliage. I sighed with relief when I saw the knotted rope disappear because I know that there is a chance that I can make it down there and maybe survive.

I gave Man Chiu one last look before I slowly lowered myself downwards. I had wrapped the rope around my waist for extra support and slowly lowered myself.

It felt like an eternity as I dangled from the carriage but hope filled my soul when my feet and body started to brush against the tree leaves and branches. The lush green forest seems promising as I start to dream about water.