Hello Wattpadders!
This is my first story that I have posted on Wattpad, and I am more of a reader than a writer! I apologise in advance for any parts that are not quite right!
This is a story that I originally wrote for an English controlled assessment, but chose not to use it in the end.
Just a warning: the storyline may be slightly sensitive to some people.
Enjoy! :)
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Isn't it funny how when you're on the edge; on the verge of jumping, the world seems so peaceful and alive.
The raging storm which would usually be considered as threatening now seems calm, and the rocks below which are unquestionably deadly seem like no more than clouds; a soft pillow waiting to catch me, and welcome me with a warm embrace.
All it takes is a step; one small step. It's funny how those very words were once considered revolutionary, but now their content is the only thing anchoring me to this world.
Isn't it funny how the sheer possibility and consideration of death changes everything?
I am stood at the edge of the crumbling cliff, staring out into the night sky, shrouded by menacing clouds. The scene below me consists of jagged rocks, as sharp as daggers, and crashing waves, as loud as thunder, although I hear nothing. The rain violently pierces my skin and the howling wind is whipping through my hair and clothes; beckoning me to do it. To take the step. But the truth is that I am scared.
I am scared of what it will be like, of what will become of me. Scared of the possibility that heaven doesn't really exist, and instead I am stepping into a black hole; a void of nothingness which will swallow me up when death finally greets me.
"Luke!" I hear my name through the cacophony of the storm; "Don't do this Luke!" Alfie, my best and only friend stands a few metres behind me, his hands outstretched in a sign of surrender, visibly trying to prevent them from shaking.
He is losing control.
Although Alfie is using his best efforts to remain calm and emotionless, there is desperation in his voice, allowing me to peer through the window to his thoughts. I can see that I am hurting him, but I have no choice. This can't go on.
"Please, Alfie, go home." My voice is a shaky rasp but I am tired of people pretending to know me: to know my mind. I am tired of people telling me that they understand what I am going through, and that it is going to be okay. They really don't, and it clearly isn't.
They have no clue why I am where I am, and how much the accident has affected me. How whenever I walk into a room, the silence is deafening, and the glares stab me like icy daggers. They simply don't understand.
Last time, the doctor told me that I was going to get better, that the voices and visions were going to stop.
They didn't.
He lied.
I close my eyes, thoughts exploding in my head, before opening them to discover Alfie stood less than a metre behind me, his outstretched hand reaching out to me, beckoning for me to take it.
Not speaking, not looking at me, just waiting.
Anger stirs up inside me; "Why, Alfie? Why are you doing this? Go home! You don't understand!"
I hurt him, and I know it.
He finally looks up at me slowly, before speaking, his voice a faint murmur, barely audible over the howling wind.
"Because I don't want to lose you. You're my best friend. People care about you, Luke, and although you may not realise it, you are loved. Those people, including me, will help you as best we can. I know that I don't understand, and I probably never will, but I will always be here to listen if you wanted to talk; to make me understand."
His wide eyes tell a story, and the sincerity and pain in his voice forces me to realise that he is telling the truth. I close my eyes to discover that tears are streaming down my face, freezing on to my skin like minute icicles, stabbing me like a thousand miniature knives.
I begin to shake uncontrollably.
I can't do this.
Choose to live for other people's sake or choose to die for my own. This isn't fair.
What if I am being selfish? What if I am too wrapped up in my own thoughts to consider anybody else's feelings?
I thought that everyone despised me. I was so sure of myself before, so why is Alfie's presence making me doubt myself?
I think that I care about him too much, which forces me to realise that there is something to leave behind when I jump; greeting death with open arms, like a long lost friend.
The wind continues to howl around me, and the rain picks up, almost knocking me off my feet with the sheer force, and sending me tumbling into the abyss below.
The thin grey scarf that was previously wrapped limply around my neck is lifted by the wind, where it twists and turns, controlled by an invisible force, before being whipped out of sight, into the darkness.
Alfie takes one step towards me; towards the edge of the cliff and the jagged rocks below, illuminated by the blinding flashes of lightning forking through the night sky, darkened by clouds.
I feel a gentle hand on my bare arm, freezing from the continuous rain; reassuring me that he is here, that we are in this together.
But that's just it; we aren't.
I shake him away, not wanting any human contact, but fail to avoid the pained expression on his face.
Suddenly, the storm heightens, every sound amplified, every gust of wind much stronger than the last. The perilous rocks below become closer and more deadly with every passing second; taunting me.
I am about to step away from the crumbling cliff, to admit that Alfie is right, when the sheer force of the wind pushes me too far; causing me to lose my balance. I am on the verge of death, and although ten minutes ago this would have sounded inviting, now I was terrified about what I was leaving behind.
I am certain that this is it, but within a split second I feel a steel grip on my forearm, and Alfie is the only thing pinning me to this world.
He is literally holding my life in his hands, and the terrified expression on his face shows that it is a heavy burden to bear.
Somehow, he manages to haul me up the cliff, and I regain my footing, still shaking; though from fear or adrenaline, I am not sure. Tears are still streaming down my icy cheeks.
He pulls me into a gentle embrace, as if he is frightened that I may shatter like a porcelain doll, delicate and breakable, at any point.
The heavy wind continues to attack us; causing pain to sear through my bare arms and face, and almost knocking us both into the crashing waves below.
Both me and Alfie are stood at the edge of the towering cliff, and through the embrace I feel him trembling, and I realise; I did this.
Now there is only one choice left to make; and depending on my decision it could very well be my last...
YOU ARE READING
On The Edge
Short Story"I am stood at the edge of the crumbling cliff, staring out into the night sky, shrouded by menacing clouds. The scene below me consists of jagged rocks, as sharp as daggers, and crashing waves, as loud as thunder, although I hear nothing. " "The tr...
