Rock and Roll

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.