Opening my eyes, I gave a great start, gasping loudly as everything seemed to hit me all at once: the cool caress of the wind; the energetic rustle of what sounded like leaves; the swaying sensation that only vertigo could bring. Struggling to maintain what little balance I had, I tried to remember where I was. The only place that came to mind was practically impossible— but a single brush of my fingertips along a rough, crusty surface told me otherwise.
I was on a branch. And, judging by the rather frigid temperature of the breeze, I was on a very high branch. But how in heaven's name did I end up here? I racked my brains again, searching for something, anything, that could help explain this odd predicament.
Nothing.
I couldn't recall a thing.
A bit nervous now, I strained my ears against the roaring wind, not wanting to admit to myself that I felt extremely vulnerable. Pushing past the noises of my immediate surroundings, my ears finally focused on—
Somebody's coming.
I stiffened, my back turning to stone. Yes, somebody was definitely headed in my direction. The slight ka-thunk of each footfall led me to believe that this person was male, but this discovery didn't make me feel any better. He was getting closer, too: a simple calculation indicated he'd reach my location in forty-five seconds.
Bo-dum, bo-dum bo-dum, bo-dum, bo-dum bo-dum. . .
His heartbeat grew ever stronger, and, suddenly, I knew exactly who the beat belonged to. Without further ado, I shifted my stance on the branch, ready to climb down before he'd see me. However, even the pads of my feet could feel my sandal's soles catching on a small knot; I was falling through the chilly air, too shocked at my clumsiness to scream.
I picked up a sharp whish, thanking my lucky stars that, even after all that, the man still hadn't sensed me. The sound of his heartbeat slowly faded away.
My legs hit the grassy earth first, sending hot waves of pain up my spine. This isn't good. . .
Before I could even come up with an appropriate curse, my head cracked against the ground, the impact knocking the breath out of my lungs. My eyes closed of their own accord.