Prompts, Scenes, and More

The Bridge

            Half way there. Jack thought, wiping the sweat off his brow and continuing to climb. He stood in the middle of the Sydney Harbor, Australia attempting to work his way to the top. Regulations called for a suspension strap, but Jack felt more excitement without suspension straps and that's what he came to do this for.

            Down below him, officers where making their way up slowly. Jack laughed. Those officers probably never thought they'd have to climb a bridge to catch a criminal. Or was he more like a deranged daredevil? All Jack did was not sign the papers, or wear the safety gear. He just started to climb. That's all.

            “Come down now and there won't be any consequences.” A voice called out from below. Jack ignored it, resisting the urge to look down. Did they think he was stupid? Of course there were going to be consequences. He's climbing a freaking bridge illegally. Jack just rolled his eyes, continuing up the side of the bridge. He wanted to break his record. If he didn't get caught until the very top, he'd be okay with that. He would break his record and pay whatever fines he needs to.

            Faster, faster, faster. Jack was sweating, rushing himself to the top when his feet slipped and suddenly the only thing connecting himself to the bridge was his fingers. Correction: His sweaty fingers. Jack could hear the officers below gasp, which had to be impossible unless they were closing in on him. Unwillingly, Jack looked down and immediately regretted it. I'm so high up he thought, but then paled even more as he saw how close the officer was.

            His heart pounding out of his chest, Jack numbly regained his footing, making sure he was stable enough to take one hand off the bridge and reach for a higher spot and pulling himself up more. Soon his confidence was back, and he was a bolt of lightning, zipping through the challenges like it was nothing. The officer grew smaller as Jack got higher.

            Reaching up again, he felt open air above him. His heart pounded even more, if it were possible. He was at the top! All he had to do was sit on the top, and he won. But of course, there was a problem. There was always a problem, Jack mused. A helicopter was whizzing towards the spot Jack hung at, in the middle of pulling himself up. The wind from the machine was making it hard for him to keep his balance and concentration. He just had to roll onto the small platform the pole provided.  If only it was that easy.

            Hair whipped around his face, as he rolled onto his knees and threw up his arms in celebration. Jack whooped and hollered, he had made it!

            But then the gunshot rang in his ears.

            Jack ducked, but he had already been propelled back from the force, already screaming and teetering precariously on the edge.

            Another shot exploded out towards Jack.

            He fell.