I’ve always been something of a risk taker. Despite being described
as quiet and reserved in most situations, I was always fearless when it came to
being adventurous. Always going higher and farther than others would even think
to attempt. My friends looked on in awe, and my mother was continuously sent
into fits of worry. I left no tree unclimbed, no rock unexplored, and even as I
grew older and wiser, my attitude didn’t really change. Until one day, I
overestimated myself.
As the boat slowed and we approached the island, I couldn’t
help but notice the rock formations, majestic and enticing against the clear
blue sky. I was practically itching to get ashore and start exploring. But that
wasn’t what we’d come for. However, before long I got tired of baiting hooks
and casting lines with no results. Fishing proved monotonous when the most
exciting catch was a lump of seaweed.
“I’m
just going to wander ‘round the island”, I called to the boys, abandoning my
rod and doing up my jacket.
“Okay
but don’t do anything stupid!”
I couldn’t help but smile at Sam. I knew he worried about
me. I also knew that he just loved to say ‘I told you so’. It’s not like I’m gonna fall, Gosh, I thought stubbornly to myself.
Now, as I stood atop a large outcrop of rocks, I felt a
mixture of exhilaration and serenity. I looked out at the waves, shielding my
eyes from the mid-afternoon sun. Climbing came naturally to me, and up here on
the cliff I almost felt at home. I’d stripped off my jacket now, my back damp
with perspiration, my hands raw from the surface of the rocks. But it felt
good. To my left was an array of wide, flat boulders. Smooth and welcoming. I
was tempted to lay down for a pleasant afternoon snooze. But to my right lay more enticing path. Uneven
and half hidden in shadow. I always loved a challenge.
When climbing, I had this rule that three out of four limbs
must always be secure. That way it was almost impossible to lose my balance. Here though, I could tell by looking, that to
make it across the ledge before me, I’d have to break that rule.
“Just
this once”, I murmured aloud to myself.
Securing my foot, I braced myself to push up and grab the
rock just above me. In the split second before I fell, I knew something wasn’t
right. I heard the crack as the rock gave way, felt the unwelcome pull of
gravity beneath me. And then there was nothing I could do. How long I tumbled
for I’ll never be quite sure. I tucked my arms close to my body and gritted my
teeth, hoping it would stop before I met the oyster-covered rocks near the
water. Finally, I came to a halt, flat on my back on a bed of small rock
fragments.
Trembling from head to toe I got gingerly to my feet. After
testing each of my limbs I felt a surge of relief, I’d expected broken bones.
My exposed skin felt raw all over. My bare arms grated and shredded like cheese.
The sky, close enough to touch just moments before, was now a distant patch of
light above my head. Only a slither of blue visible between the jagged
outcrops.
My stomach gave a jolt as a drop of blood splashed onto the
toe of my shoe. The realisation that it had come from my head was enough to
engulf me in shivers once more. Only one thought registered clearly. I must get back to the others. At that
point there was no pain, only survival instinct and adrenaline urging me
forward. I made it back to the spot surprisingly quickly, stunned to see them
still engrossed in their fishing. Completely oblivious.
“Don’t be
alarmed but… I think I fell”, I managed with a weak laugh.
The boys’ smiles vanished as they took in my blood-stained
appearance, and immediately rushed to my aid. I collapsed into their arms, and
only then did the tears start to flow. Not a single ‘I told you so’ was
uttered.
