Icarus

It had seemed so simple only hours before, sat there in the bar drinking, being cheered on by the Gang. He, a champion diver, winning trophies for his skill, on holiday in this warm island, consuming alcohol as if it were water, found himself being talked into taking a dive off of the local cliffs. People did it every day.

His head still spinning with grandiose ideas, the young athletic David walked from the hire car to the cliff edge. He removed his clothes, moonlight glinting on his sculpted form, and waited, toes curled on the edge, his friends clapping heartbeats building anticipation. He was a god, a supreme being.

The world disintegrated literally beneath his feet. As he stood the Great God decided to bring down this upstart, the cliff edge gave way. The clapping stopped. A scream ascended.

‘Oh fuck,’ a voice proclaimed to the darkness.

‘Help me. I’m stuck. I’ve got caught on something. If feels like an old fence post. Help.’

The Gang carefully peered over the edge they could see their friend hanging onto something.

‘I’m getting help.’ A voice echoed as footsteps pounded away.

The sun rose slowly on the horizon, Apollo taking over from Selene. The birds woke, their morning songs filling the air. The Gang searched for rope, for anything to help their friend.

‘Hang on David. We’re trying to get help.’

A siren sounded, a police car arrived. Help had arrived. A rope was thrown down, an abseiling policeman started to descend. Too Late.

David’s grasp on the concrete beam loosened. The rough unseen grooves scraped their way from his clutches as his being was liberated towards the cool, brisk freedom of the crisp night air below. A pigeon glided past his cold gaze, slowing just long enough to cast a casual glance at its new fellow of the sky. David slipped further into the night’s sky, silence engulfing his final journey his last descent; the soft rippling waves awaited their guest. Time his only companion.