OK – One brother describes a nightmare. Which one is which? You'll work it out no problem. Hope you enjoy.
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Hang The Consequence
...And then I was on my hands and knees – scrabbling towards the cliff edge – the children's screams still in my ears – but I just left them – no time for them – I had to catch him – he'd still be there – he had to still be there. And when I looked over the edge...there he was – hanging onto a stray tree root – his face so serious – reddened and veined in effort and exhaustion.
We made immediate eye contact and I forced out my hand down towards him – looking back for a beat, there was nothing for me to grasp – no one to hold my legs – no foundation for me whatsoever. Below him – his legs cycled in a desperate attempt to get a foot hold – but the loose earth just crumbled under his boots.
"Grab my hand!" I shouted – like I knew he would – like I willed him to at least give it a try. And then the tree root started to give – along with some of the earth from under my chest – his eyes widened – his breath quickened.
"No...get back...!" he warned, "I'll take you with me!"
"Just grab my hand...just take it!" I screamed. I moved out even further – hang the consequences – and our fingers almost touched. A sudden lunge – the tree root snapped and his hot, grimey hand half clasped mine. Eye contact again. His legs beating against the cliff edge – a mini avalanche beneath him.
"It's no good...!" he breathed.
"Hold still a while...just..." my chest compressed – I could hardly speak. His weight pulling me down – my lungs screaming – my shoulder starting to dislocate. He looked down – his right foot managing to find a hold – another slip – his hand shifted in mine – he looked up at me – the earth from under my chest falling into his face, his mouth, his hair...
"I'm too far gone...just let me go!" He commanded. Strong – determined – as if he was in charge . I looked into his eyes – he wasn't giving up – he was making a choice – and I didn't want him to make that choice. Not for me. His hand started to lose its grip – I struggled to bring more pressure onto the union – but he wasn't matching the effort.
"Hold on to me!" I breathed. Don't let it go – don't decide this for us – just hang on for a moment longer – keep still – don't fall – we can do this - we can do this...