DESCENT


This was it.  We couldn't go any further.  Or could we?

I looked down.  "Dad..."

"Stop whining, son.  I know you can make it."

"But..." I waved my hands around, pointing out the deep chasm below
us.  "It's too deep."

My father looked me in the eyes.  "There's no other way down, son.
It's either you do it or you don't."

I looked back at the road behind us.  "We can always go back..."

"No."  My father replied firmly.  "We cannot go back.  It's either
you do this or you don't."  I noticed him glancing at our beat-up
jeep, towards the rest of the group.  For a moment, his shoulders
seemed to slump in resignation.

"Hey!  What's the hold up?!?"  My little bro shouted his little lungs
out as he stuck his head out the window.  "Let's go already!"

I turned away, and looked at the scenery.  The mountains were serene,
almost peaceful and tranquil.  A gentle breeze passed, inviting me to
stay.

I closed my eyes.  "We can stay."

Dad shook his head and sighed.  He walked away towards the jeep.

I turned around.  "All right.  All right."  I snatched the keys from
his hands.  "I'll never live with myself if I won't try..."

After a few moments, everyone was strapped into the seats.  I turned
on the ignition, listening to the purr of the old engine starting up.
I held my breath, the air painful in my lungs.

"Go for it," my Dad clapped my shoulder.

"Here goes nothing..." I whispered, sending the family vehicle down the 
slope, and away from the city where we fled.

Behind us, the darkness slowly advanced.

I didn't let go of my breath until we reached the bottom of the mountain.


fin.


=======

-Signus Megido
aka. MaRaMaLa, D' Fat Dragon Scribe
http://hello.to/maramala


The Sunburst Project, Week 7
http://www.chaoseed.com/btr/sbp/
4/27/00