Travel Writing Competition - The Jump
Taking the plunge for the first time...
I can feel my heart beating in my chest. Sweat seeps from every pore, the adrenaline pumping through my veins. I gingerly shuffle forward and peer over the edge before reeling back; the drop is huge, like a great big dirty void opening out beneath my feet. Jeez, I knew it was a long way down when I stood at the bottom but now that I’m up here I don’t think I’ve ever been so scared.
I turn to my friends, quivering with fear; I can’t do this, it’s just too far. They smile and shout, telling me that I’ll be fine. But they don’t know what I’m going through; my legs feel like jelly, I can’t think straight. I smile weakly at the words of encouragement and baby-step forward again to the edge. To the void.
I close my eyes and I think of the things in life that make me smile. I picture my parents, the people I’ve known and loved, my friends beside me egging me on. Yes, I’ll do this. For them. For me.
I open my eyes. I breathe in deeply. And then I step forward, into the nothingness.
It can only be mere moments but it feels like an age. I can feel the air rushing through my hair and I let out a scream, not of fear but of joy, of pure unadulterated fun. And then I hit the water with a huge splash.
Back on dry land, with towel wrapped around and smiling friends, I survey the scene of my triumph. Yes, I think, that really is a big rock, must be at least a two-metre drop. Perhaps one day I’ll try a bungee jump.
And I smile a big, big smile.
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