Cliff Hangers: Free Fall

Cliff Hangers

"Give me one week to prove that your worth something. If I can't change your mind, jump."

I was sitting, looking down from the cliff while the cold wind slapped my face. I smile at the irony. Not even a month ago had I said almost those exact words to someone else. Only difference, I was right.

They were worth something. They still had people who loved them, who cared about them, who would miss them if they were gone.

I, on the other hand, didn't. Not anymore anyways.

I took a breath of the fresh air and enjoyed the peacefulness of the moment, completely ignoring the person behind me. Not even bothering to see who it was. But, of course, it was then that my phone decided to go off.

I looked down and almost automatically clicked ignore... It read Jessica.

I finally turned back to see the person who had disrupted my only time of tranquility.

There stood an old man. Probably about seventy years of age. He smiled at me. I frowned back.

"What makes you think I'm here to jump?" I asked, hoping the man would leave me to my bitter fate.

"I can see it on your face, in your eyes. You look a whole lot like I used to when I was young." He stared off with an almost painful look as he clearly thought about far off memories.

I pitied the old man, for if his eyes gave any indication, his past was about as bad as my life is now.

"Well, even so, what can you say that would change my mind?" I asked. He then, I suppose, decided it was a good idea to sit beside me, because he did.

"You'll find out all in good time, but how about we start off here." He placed his hand out in front of me and I cautiously took it. "My name's Alex." He said while firmly shaking my hand.

"Emily." Was all I said.

But it seemed enough for him.