Cut From Heaven

Untitled Part

The salted ocean below lapped feverishly at the rocky base of the cliff. My legs trembled uncontrollably as they shuffled, inch by inch, closer to the edge. The wind charged at me, shoulder down, sensing an intrusion in its current. The lush grass encasing my legs tickled my bare calves as it swayed, strands of sweat drenched hair whipped at my rosen cheeks leaving a dull sting behind. Adrenaline pulsed through my veins, traveling to accelerate a steady beat. A continuous rhythm of breaking waves filled the surrounding space and seemingly my own mind, consuming each personal thought in hungry gulps. An interlude of flashes need not have reminded me of the crushing strengths of the sea nor the creatures submerged beneath her beautiful exterior. A pinching pressure resonating from my hand drew my attention to the delicately painted, sunflower nails of the fingers interlaced with my own. Her almost malnourished figure towered above mine. Eyes that mirrored the natural essence of the surrounding forestry peered most likely at a face coated in dread. A reassuring gap-toothed smile shone upon her sculpted features, calming my nerves. Our sights returned toward the crashing ocean, almost synchronised.

"Live a little, Ren." A yip of laughter accompanied her light-hearted words as they danced across her coral pout. Narah bent slightly at the waist, grip tightening. "A toddler could make this jump." she grimaced at her phrasing, shaking the slip from her mind she straightened, her determination left unfaltered.

A heavy sigh drifted from my mouth without consent. "I am living, do you not see me breathing?" I retorted, not expecting any real response. The sarcasm drifted in the air, a front for the doubts I harboured. The antsy movements of her body emitted waves of excitement and longing, my reflective barrier cast them back.

"Three...." she whispered, barely audible above the roar of the rushing winds. The slight pause as her lips collided and readied themselves to release another set of sounds left time for the dark corners of my mind to procrastinate, to picture mangled corpses splayed among the jagged rocks beneath or washed along the shore to lay amongst the froth and broken shells. It was better to drown out her count down. My eyes shut tightly, I focused on slowing the spastic beating of my chest. A flow of rushed oxygenated blood sent pulsations through the tips of my fingers, my own countdown. My nostrils flared as I pulled in the crisp salt tinged air to spread an untouched water sort of calm upon myself.

I silently asked myself how one may find themselves atop such a drop willingly. Perhaps they were addicted to the way their adrenaline levels mimicked the way their body rushed towards the water, or perhaps they were lead much to their mothers dismay.

In the distance, a muffled sound announced the final numeral.

Silencing the thoughts that would ultimately glue me in place, I set my right foot on the pebbled edge placing my weight and trust on the crackled ledge, I pushed hard and leapt of the rock face. My eyes squinted tightly shut, afraid to steal a glance at what lay beneath, steadily approaching.

My bare feet collided with the salted ocean with a splash that pailed in comparison of each crash of the seas waves against the cliffs base. I fell further, the frosted water crawling along my skin, greedily consuming my entire existance, claiming me. A glance towards the surface show the suns rays fleeting from sight, swallowed by darkness as I. Bubbles weaved cautiously through the dark tendrils of hair swirling weightlessly around my face, making a desperate break for the surface. A reversal of motion flipped my stomache, making my head spin as I ascended. The ripples overhead strengthened as the surface drew near. My body regretted the resurfacing when the first wave collapsed apon my head and the rushing winds batted against my cheek. I lifted my arm and started to push against the current. Left.....Right.....Left.....Right.... A few strokes and the strenuis feat eased, the waves boosted me foward as if supporting my decision to leave.

The sand scraped along my abdomen of which my shirt had left unarmored. The ocean had disregarded me much like I do when served brocolli. The water licked from my toes to my shins, pausing to allow the wind to dance along each new droplet rested apon my skin. I lay with my ear againts the sand, a salted mess splayed across my face. A howl of accomplishment melded with adreniline sounded from further down the shore.

Narah stood wailing with her clenched fist waiving through the air, her lanky torso doubled in on itself as her hands grasped her thighs, plastered smile intact the rise and fall of her chest synchronising with my own. Her drenched peach coils fell to the side as she tilted her head and sent her eyes darting back and forth in search. They came to rest on a mound of sanded flesh with what I hope had survived with all limbs entact. The corners of her mouth lifted into a grin as she walk the few yards seperating us.

"Before you ask, no I won't do that..." I lifted my arm backwards and pointed loosly in the direction of the cliff, "..again, I sense the PTSD setting in." each word came out exasperated with my ragged breathing. I placed my palms beneath my chest and pushed, lifting my body and twisting into a sitting position, letting the waves continue to lap at my toes. Narah took a seat beside me and gave me playful push in answer to my exageration.

"I bet you secretly loved it, the rush, you dont even have to tell me," she held out her palm, a full stop to my oncoming arguement. "I know you enjoyed it." Her words were accompanied by an 'all-knowing'; brow raise. I released a huff of laughter through my teeth. We sat in silence gazing at where the endless blue met the blur of orange and yellow. As the sun drooped silent rumbles racked my stomach placing an order, quick delivery.

"When I said lets do something crazy I was thinking more along the lines of eating our way through Laura's menu." At my mention of our infamous local diner my insides seemed to jump, as did my mind; picturing their mouth watering burgers and diabetes inducing thick shakes. I saw Narah lift her arm from beside me, inspecting the tan lines of an absent watch.

"Well.....I have to be home....." she swept her head to face me, a grin spread across her lips as we came to an unspoken agreement, a smile spread across my own features as she spoke again. "Who are we kidding I have time." We shot to our feet in a fit of laughter, sand flew through the air as we rushed up the beach to the wooden stairs.