Form: A History

Chapter 5

Matthew laid there. He shouldn't accept his fate. He tried with all his might to move but it was useless. He just wasted precious energy. He knew that he should give up. He shouldn't ever. But, now was looking very hopeless. Matthew exhausted just about the last of his energy simply turning over, trying to get himself off the cliff to end his agony.
Suddenly, Matthew felt a surge through his body. There was a sharp pain in his back. Matthew jumped up off the ground. Wait, he could jump! Matthew bent his arms and legs, but nothing felt broken! What sorcery did this? Matthew looked up and around at whatever might have blessed him with his life.
   Matthew suddenly felt an extreme wave of exhaustion, as he collapsed back onto the ground. He lifted himself up on his arms, pushing himself into a sitting position. He wondered if perhaps it had come from something in the ground, or on the cliff side. Matthew felt around the ground, looking for a tube reaching into the ground, or just some form of metal that might have sent a bolt of electrical power through him that maybe triggered senses within him to give a large quantity of energy towards healing the body faster than originally intended.
   Unfortunately, Matthew found no such piece of metal, though he did find a purple gem on the ground right on the place he had rolled onto. Matthew took the time, and slowly examined it by rubbing his fingers over its sharp surface. Matthew theorized perhaps this was what gave him such a blessing, and therefore he must take it with him. Matthew pried it from the ground, his pocket knife always handy. But the moment it was removed from the ground, the gem turned to dust and floated onto the ground. Disappointed, Matthew decided he had other things to worry about... such as leaving this hole.
He stared at the cliff he had come from, and analyzed it's ledges. Matthew deducted the easiest path, though it was still tricky.
First, Matthew climbed up. He was no longer bothered by the fact that he was with two broken legs and wrist five minutes ago. He scaled the cliff side, as healthy as ever. Eventually, he reached the top. It was about 20-30 feet high, according to Matthew's estimations. Yet, it felt taller during his climb. His limbs were sore when he tried to stand at the top. Matthew simply collapsed onto the ground.

Alone. Again.

But he could still hear the shout of voices from the town... still see people darting around with lanterns even as the sun set.
But, he heard someone shout. It caught his attention. Someone was standing just outside the village, pointing his way. Instantly, Matthew's mother pushed through the crowd, running straight for Matthew.
Matthew simply closed his eyes, and let time go on. He should wake up safe.