the jump

Shi Du (十渡), dubbed the Guilin of the North

your heart pumps too fast, your pulse rocks your insides, your hands tremble ever so slightly. on your left, friends clutch at you, undecided between the anticipation of an exquisite adrenaline rush or the tiny possibility that this might actually hurt. on your right, the tiny platform beckons menacingly at you, the last step on solid ground before you plunge headfirst into a seemingly endless drop. you laugh your fears away, half-wishing you could turn back and walk down the safe route. sensations numb your brain, a heady rush consuming your entire self. it is already your turn. you say your goodbyes, smile your bravest smile, and drag your feet to the plank.

images flash through your mind.. barely registering.
Him. dad. him. home. Peter Pan's Wendy. the mountains ahead, the river below. girlfriends jumping after you.

you lift your hands up at your sides, titanic-style.

for a moment, you are on top of the world..



and then you start falling.




good thing the scenery was quite a sight, even with cloudy weather.