Choices

by Eltapink

So, here goes. It is her birthday, and she didn't imagine this. She knew it was coming, wanted it even, but now she is terrified. But now what? Does she jump, or does she flee to disappointment and shunning?

The heat was scathing. It reddened my skin and dried me up like an old corn husk. I couldn't believe I'd ever agreed to do this. In fact, I couldn't believe my family had ever done this. I took a step closer, staring into fiery depths.

Below me, lava flowed, ever glowing. Its light lit up my surroundings, giving everything an orange tinge. A bubble burst, forcing me to step away. I watched as the lava flew through the air, splashing as it came tumbling back to the surface.

My heart was rapidly beating. From fear or excitement, I couldn't tell. Then I glanced behind myself. There stood the solid, fireproof doors I had always known. But now, instead of looking at them from the outside, dreaming of The Day I would go in, I was inside, and it was nothing like I had ever imagined. I ached for those early days, when I could have done this in a second.

I didn't want to learn what I could transform into anymore. The prospect scared me half to death. It wasn't like I was an easily terrified girl, but immersed in lava? No thank you.

Maybe I should just stand here. Not jumping, or anything of the sort. But that would never work. Sooner or later, I would get hungry. And there were only two ways out of here. The first was the doors, but my family waited there, expecting me to take the exit caves, because they thought I would jump. The second exit, and the only one currently available, was a tunnel hidden under the lava.

To reach it, you jumped into the lava, and then swam to the other side of the pool, dived down, and went forward into the tunnel. Then you simply climbed out of the lava, and followed the tunnel's path.

I sighed. Everyone had told me it was so easy, exhilarating, that I'd never regret it. I wondered if that was really true, of if it had all been empty lies. But no matter what they said, it was clear they wanted me to jump. If I didn't, I would become an outcast, subject to lifelong teasing. I didn't want that to happen. But was the alternative much better? Sure, becoming roasted me wasn't number one on my list of things I wanted to do, but neither was being eternally picked on. In fact, becoming roasted was actually more preferable.

I shifted on the ground, feeling the rough rock beneath me. It was time to change, time to face it. It was inevitable, a fact I had always known. I calmed myself, taking in deep, steadying breaths. I backed up carefully, slowly, not wanting to slip. Then I race forward, and leap.