Reaper ~ THG AU

Ch. 19: Parachute

My fingers grip the bark, the ruff edges digging into my skin as I pull myself up more. Birds chirp above me, the early hours of the morning starting with a lightened sky. Grabbing a knot, I huff as my arms burn. A breeze tassels my curls, cooling the back of my neck as I pull myself higher.

Looking back up, I can see just how much further I need to go. The silver glistens in the moonlight. All the surrounding leaves and limbs seem to be enough to get through to reach the gift from sponsors. The cut on my shoulder screams as I reach for another branch.

"Come on."

I grunt, gripping the thick wood tighter. Sharp bark digs into my palms as I'm pulling myself up. My boots dig against the thick branches with each movement I make. I make it two more feet before looking back up towards the parachute.

A smile makes it's way onto my lips. The parachute is less than five feet away now, swinging in the air with everything thick breeze. My left hand reaches up for a knob before grabbing another branch with my right. I move my foot, placing it where I can get the most traction.

My foot slips, causing my grip with my left hand to follow. My right hand stays in place, being the only thing stopping me from falling at least fifteen feet to the hard ground below. The cut on my arm feels like it tear more, all of my weight on my right arm as I grunt. My face contorts into pain as I take a deep breath.

Glancing down, I see just how far up I am. Using what experience I have for this situation, I swing my body weight to the side in order to grab onto the large branch I was just stepping on. I get my footing, letting out a grunt as I pull myself up.

I wedge my body into the elbow near my feet as I catch my breath. I refuse to die getting a parachute from a sponsor. My arm stings from the cut, a warm, stickiness coats my flesh under my jacket. My eyes fall down toe where my brother lays. Acacius is still sleeping below, unaware just how close to perishing I became. I slow my breathing, looking up towards the silver treasure.

Less than five feet are now between us, slightly more if you count the limbs that are far too small for my weight. Another deep breath rips through me as I study what path to take. If I stay closer to the trunk, I'm less likely to fall. Thought it would take me longer and I'd have to shimmy out on a branch that might not hold me.

My other option is farther out, hanging over the stones, hard ground, and tree roots below. Thicker tree branches might make it easier, but I don't know if I want to risk it. With the first option, the limp above the one I'd have to put my full weight on seems pretty sturdy. It's not much thicker than the one below, but it has less branches than the others around it. There's not much of an area where I can climb onto the limb, but I do feel better about going that way.

Taking a few deep breaths, I close my eyes. My racing heart calms enough for me stand back up. The bark scrapes against my jacket and pants as I move, filling the silent night. My eyes stay closed, my mind still racing with all the ways this could go wrong.

"You can do this...you've done far worse."

I hear myself whisper out the sentence, so soft I almost didn't hear it myself. I take one last deep breath before forcing my eyes open. The bark that my hands grip digs into the callused skin on my fingers. It's a familiar feeling from years of hard work. It reminds me of why I'm here and what I'm fighting for. The feeling makes all emotions pause, willing myself to focus on what I need to do. That alone is almost grounding.

I reach for the first limb above me, starting the climb that has already almost killed me once. With in minutes, I scale the rest of the tree up to the branch that scares me. I slip into the small crevice where the branch and the trunk meet.