"Dan!" Phil screamed, running barefoot across the sharp rocks to the cliff.
"Dan! Please don't do this, Dan!" his voice broke on the last work as his voice strained.
Finally, the figure in the distance came into focus.
Phil slowed down as came a few arm lengths away from his friend. His heart started to race, convulsing painfully as he slowly walked forward, his hand outstretched. Gingerly, he touched Dan's arm. It was like an electric current went through him. Dan jumped and took a step forward, towards the cliff and the icy water below.
"Dan, Dan." Phil tried to keep his voice calm as the panic pressed on his windpipes. He took a deliberate step back, and put his hands up. "It's ok, I'm not going to touch you, I'm not touching you, ok?"
Dan hadn't moved except to step forward. His arms were outstretched, as if to hug the sea wind that blew their hair back.
"Dan, I've known you for a long time now. Let's just talk, ok?"
A cry, almost a whine escaped Dan's throat.
Phil winced.
Dan took another step forward.
"Dan, let me help you, Dan!" this time, he let his panic show. "Just talk to me! I'm here for you!"
"No, no, no." Dan whispered.
Phil could barely hear him as his words were taken by the wind.
"Phil….. I'm sorry…" said Dan as he took yet another step forward.
Time slowed down. Phil knew he only had a few seconds before his best friend jumped and was taken away from him forever.
He made a decision.
He dove forward, his arms outstretched to grab Dan's waist. He connected.
It should have been fine from there. Main problem averted. Phil could have tackled Dan, restrained him wait until he wore himself out, and then carried him home.
And he would of, if it wasn't for the rock. The rock covered in sea spray.
As he jumped forward to tackle Dan, his foot slipped, ankle twisting at as odd angle as he felt himself falling to the side. At the same time, his arms wrapped around Dan and his body twisted, taking Dan with him as they fell off the very cliff Phil was trying to save Dan from.
He didn't even have time to be scared.
Phil shut his eyes, hugging Dan's body close to him as they fell through the cold ocean breeze towards the freezing, unrelenting ocean waves below.
The last thing he remembers is Dan being ripped from his arms.
Then it all goes black.
Later, the paramedics said that if it hadn't of been for the bloody footprints covering the rocks they might never have found them.