The End?
Issak Renner
I close my eyes, listen to the world around me. Thousands of cars moving, planes passing overhead, dogs barking through their fences. Everyone in a hurry to go where? Why do they struggle all their life chasing empty dreams? I open my eyes again; look out over the bridge as the rain trickles down my face filling my shoes. Lights from the city stretch across the sky refracting from the rain. I check my phone one last time, the cracked screen displays a blank wallpaper, the time, and no new notifications. I was hoping someone would message me at least one more time. Even the few people that passed by me pretended they didn’t notice what was happening. I let my phone slip from my fingers and count the seconds. One…Two…Three… Seven… Crash. Its parts scattering on the slimy rocks next to the river. I try and think of something to say, didn’t bother to even write a letter but nothing comes to mind.
I step off.
Again I count, One… my stomach is in my throat I cant breath. Two… the wind rushes against my ears. Three… the sounds of the city have stopped. Four.. my body has adjusted to the fall. Five… The fall is peaceful there are no strings attached; nothing holding me back. Five… I think back on my life, when was the last time I felt happy? Six… forgotten memories flash before my eyes; times when I was a kid, happy and carefree. Seven… maybe I can feel that way again should I try and protect my life? Maybe I can start over. Maybe I don’t need to end it.
It’s too late.
My body jolts, a strange feeling hitting every nerve. The sensation is perplexing like the numbness you get in your fingers when you sleep on your arm all night. I feel sweat beading and dripping down my face, but I can’t see. I hear a voice, someone’s hand on me. The object covering my face is lifted off, bright lights blinding me. The voice asks a question, but I can’t understand. Finally, my eyes adjust, my earplugs are removed. In shock I look over at the individual and he asks, “How was it?”
I step off.
Again I count, One… my stomach is in my throat I cant breath. Two… the wind rushes against my ears. Three… the sounds of the city have stopped. Four.. my body has adjusted to the fall. Five… The fall is peaceful there are no strings attached; nothing holding me back. Five… I think back on my life, when was the last time I felt happy? Six… forgotten memories flash before my eyes; times when I was a kid, happy and carefree. Seven… maybe I can feel that way again should I try and protect my life? Maybe I can start over. Maybe I don’t need to end it.
It’s too late.
My body jolts, a strange feeling hitting every nerve. The sensation is perplexing like the numbness you get in your fingers when you sleep on your arm all night. I feel sweat beading and dripping down my face, but I can’t see. I hear a voice, someone’s hand on me. The object covering my face is lifted off, bright lights blinding me. The voice asks a question, but I can’t understand. Finally, my eyes adjust, my earplugs are removed. In shock I look over at the individual and he asks, “How was it?”
Issak Renner is a cadet at NMMI.