Writing Prompt

Bay backed up a little more and felt some earth crumble beneath her. She looked back and saw the large canyon. She looked back at the guy before her.

He rushed forward and grabbed her throat, dangling her over the edge. "Say goodbye, girl." he laughed.

Bay felt his hand release it's tight grip. She plummeted quickly down into the canyon. She reached her arm out and a string of web shot out and gripped onto a rock.

Bay swung in the rock's directon with the web and landed in a cave. She backed away from the entrance and gasped for air.

A cool breeze blew over her face and grazed the scars. Bay flinched and took another deep breath.

"Bay!" someone shouted.

Bay looked up instantly and gasped. Kit stood above her bed.

"What is it? What happened?" Bay grumbled. "God, I just had the worst dream..." she drug her hand down her face and got out of bed.

"So that's why you were saying weird things." Kit whispered.

Bay glanced at him. "Like what...?"

"Oh I don't know. Something like...'Let go of me' or whatever. Not like I remember...or something..." Kit rubbed his arm nervously.

Bay narrowed her eyes and turned to her closet. She pulled out her black t-shirt and jeans.

"I'm sorry..." Kit murmured.

"You shouldn't be, Kit. Now did Grandma send you up here or what?" Bay finished sliding her shirt on.

"She did actually. Breakfast is pancakes today!" Kit exclaimed.

Bay laughed and walked toward the door. She ruffled Kit's hair on the way. "Your favorite, little man."

Kit laughed and slipped out right before her and sprinted down the stairs. Bay paused right at the top of the stairs. Her brain buzzed. She groaned and held it.

"Hey Bay, you comin?" Kit called.

Bay took a deep breath and pushed the pain away. "Coming!" she called back. "Breath Bay. The pain...has to go away at some point." she slowly went down the stairs for breakfast.

"And then, she broke up with him!" Regan laughed.

Bay pulled her hood up and looked toward the tall buildings beside them.

"Bay, hey, are you okay?" Iris whispered.

"I'm sure she's fine." Regan slung her arm on Iris's shoulder. "It's not like she misses Zeke. He was a bitch to her everyday."

Iris glowered at Regan and she backed off.

Iris returned her gaze to Bay and smiled softly. "Everythings going to be perfectly fine, Bay. There are so many boys out there waiting for their The One. Just. Like. You."

Bay turned to her slowly and smiled back. "I'm so glad to be friends with you, Iris."

"As I am too." Iris laughed.

"Guys, look! The new Spider-Man movie is finally here! We have to go see it!" Regan exclaimed.

"How and why are you so obsessed with 'Spider-Man'?" Bay wondered. "It's not like he's real or ever will be."

Regan spun around."He's real in my heart. Forever."

Iris laughed and Bay sighed.

Regan turned back around and skipped toward the movie theater entrance doors.

Iris gripped Bay's hand. "Come on. You can't keep yourself isolated forever."

Bay's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and read the text.

She sighed and put the phone back away. "I'm sorry Iris. My mom really wants me back home. I'll...see you two tomorrow?" Bay turned around and headed away.

Iris watched her. "I feel like that was a lie." she whispered to herself.

Bay walked down the sidewalk. She looked up at the sky and watched birds and planes flying by. "The world is ever-changing." Bay whispered to herself.

"That is true." someone whispered beside her.

Bay stopped and put her hands up. "Who are you?"

The boy realized she wasn't beside her, stopped, and turned around. "Oh sorry. I couldn't help but overhear you...talking to yourself."

"Are you stalking me?" Bay raised an eyebrow.

"N-no, I just..." the boy stuttered. "Sorry, I'll go." he walked into an alley.

"Your not leaving that fast mister!" Bay growled. She grabbed the sleeve of his shirt and spun him around.

The boy looked petrified now. "W-what do you want?"

"I want to know why you were stalking me." Bay snapped.

"I told you! I wasn't stalking you! I just happened to overhear." the boy whispered.

Bay released him. "Fine. But, please, don't 'happen to hear' me again. It's really weird."

The boy nodded and smiled.

Bay turned away from him and walked away with her hands in her jacket pockets.

The boy laughed and backed into the alleyway. He ducked behind a trashbin and pulled his arm up. He clicked buttons on the heavy-looking watch and a hologram pulled up of a man with his fingers tiredly gripping his nose.

"What is it? You better have good news this time." the man lifted his head toward the boy.

The boy laughed again. "Oh I have great news, Sir. I believe I've found the girl you were looking for. Although she is very rude, I don't know why she was chosen to become the hero."

"It doesn't matter why she was chosen!" the man shouted. He backed away from the screen and took a deep breath. "All that matters is that you found her. Now, bring her to me, and you will be rewarded."

"I thought I was supposed to bring her to-"

"You bring her to me!" the man screamed. "And I will do the rest." he laughed.

Bay made her way over the yellow crosswalk lines to the park on the other side.

Birds chirped from their position on low-hanging tree branches. Bay smiled up at them and found a bench to relax on.

She pulled a small notebook out from her jacket pocket and flipped through pages. Most of the pictures were of her and Zeke.

Bay found an empty page and scribbled things on it. "Zeke is gone, and my life is free." she sighed.

Suddenly, a loud crash sounded a few feet away.

Bay glanced in the direction of the sound and put her notebook away. She got up from the bench and slowly walked toward the sound.

She peeked behind a small wall and saw two guys fighting. She stood there and watched.

After a while, one of them noticed her. The other looked panicked.

"Go!" the other screamed. "If you are the one, go!"

Bay raised an eyebrow. The first guy smiled sinisterly and rushed at her. She yelped and ducked behind the wall.

The guy skidded to a stop and spun around. He rushed for Bay again.

She screamed and covered her face with her hands. Fortunately, the second guy, now dressed in a weird costume, stopped him.

The second guy picked up the first one and threw him back into the place they were fighting. Then he held his hand out to Bay.

"What are you thinking? I'm not going with you! You could've just killed that guy!" Bay backed away from him.

"You're saying that to me?" the guy scoffed. "He was going to kill you!"

"You don't know that!" Bay shouted.

"I do! And I need you to trust me! Please!" he moved his hand closer.

The first guy stumbled out from the small building and groaned.

The guy in front of Bay covered her mouth and held his other arm out. A string of webs flew from it and gripped onto a nearby building. The guy ran with Bay.

"When I say jump, you jump, got it?" he whispered.

"S-sure." Bay replied.

"Good...Now! Jump!" he shouted.

Bay leaped with the guy as he pulled hard on the web, making them swing toward it. She closed her eyes and tried not to scream. The guy kept retracting and flinging out more and more webs, catapulting them through the city.

Right when they thought they were safe, the first guy flew out from and alley and knocked Bay from the second guy's grasp.

"No!" he shouted.

She felt the wind strong against her back.

The second guy swiftly kicked the first guy and sent him crashing into a building. Then he swung and quickly caught Bay before she hit the ground.

"Hopefully we're finally safe." he took a deep breath. "We can hide out at your home maybe?"

"I can show you were it is, but you have to come in through my window obviously. My grandma would flip if she saw you." Bay whispered.

"Of course. Hang on." He smiled, lifting them into the air.

"I don't think I caught your name..." Bay wondered.

"It's Rune. Rune Parker. What's yours?" Rune asked.

"I'm Bay. Bay Parker." She laughed.

Rune laughed too. "What a coincidence." his face had a hint of relief.

Bay pointed at a small house. "There. We've arrived."

Rune slowly brought them done in front of the building. "You go inside, I'll be right there."

"Got it." Bay walked toward the steps and opened the door. She looked behind her, but Rune was gone.

Bay turned back around and went straight to her room.

"So...I'm supposed to become this...hero, and everyone is trying to stop me from doing that?" Bay questioned.

"You're supposed to become the hero that is going to...take back what belongs to us Spiders and get rid of the worst villain. I think." Rune replied.

"What do you mean, 'I think'? I need to know what thing I'm supposed to do so I can do it and return to a normal life." Bay demanded.

Rune sighed. "Look, its been a while since I've heard anything about anything, okay?"

Bay turned away from him toward her closet. "I understand."

Rune stood up an turned her around. "I um need you to come with me. The...elder Spiders may want to see I've found the one."

Bay looked at the ground. "Okay, where are they?"

Rune walked to the end of her bed and hit a few buttons on the small watch tightened on his wrist.

"Bay! Iris and Regan are here!" Her Mom shouted up the stairs.

Bay looked toward the door panickly. "I uh better go get them. You..." she paused and turned her head around. "stay here and keep quiet. Please." she opened the door and slipped out.

Rune clicked the final button and a portal opened. He stepped inside and it closed.

Bay rushed down the steps and unlocked the door for her friends. "Hey guys!"

"Why'd you ditch us before Bay?" Regan scowled.

Bay nervously rubbed her arm. "I'm uh really sorry about that. My Mom texted and said I had to go home."

Regan stepped inside her house and Iris followed. Bay backed away a bit and closed the door.

Bay's mom poked her head into the room and smiled at the girls. "I've got some cookies ready, ladies!"

"Yay cookies!" Regan ran into the kitchen and immediately gobbled one up.

Iris and Bay followed and nibbled on their own.

Bay's mom smiled again. "Glad you are enjoying them. Bay, tonight would be a good night for a sleep over. Why don't you three have one?"

Bay age the last bite of her cookie. "Oh uh yeah that's a great idea."

Regan slung her arm over her friends shoulders. "We'll have the best sleep over of the century tonight besties!"

The diving board wobbles

My toes are over the edge I’m lightheaded from looking down

                                      at 
                                   
 The 
                  Dots 
                                   Of
        Color 
                                    Below

In the sea of calm blue That I ache to leap to

Will I be there soon?

I’ve been up here for so long Paralyzed in fear A decision not near And not enjoying the view

I want so badly to leap But I can’t

How do I leap When I don’t know Where I’m leaping to?

The line is behind me is piling up Wet swimsuits D R I P P I N G

I M P A T I E N C E into puddles on the hot concrete

Hurry up! They say

They’re right I need to jump To move forward There’s only one way

Why am I so afraid to fall? Why is the unknown More scary Than doing nothing At all?

My legs are w o b b l i n g and tired

If I stay any longer It won’t fly And at worst I’m going to slip and die

It’s embarrassing To be stuck on this wobbly board I’m making a scene

I hate when people stare but This stunted position Is the loudest scream

And all the sudden I can’t take it anymore

It’s time to look forward Let go and Embrace this open blue door

Yeah, that’s enough It’s time to go

I can’t believe it’s here Oh shoot Here we go

So I hold my breath Take a step Spring forward and ---

                                            Jump

I don’t know where I am

But it’s a relief

And I’m happier than before

Because while all I see is bubbly white waters

At least I’m not Up there stuck On the diving board Anymore

We all walked in a group. Me, Mallory, Lily, Tyler, and Kai. Mallory wanted to have a “fun” night. Which in our lives seemed impossible. I stopped at the edge a cliff, the mountains all looked so beautiful from here. “I’m taking a break,” I said, “I’ll meet you at the camp site.” Mallory nodded but didn’t say anything. I sat down in the edge of the cliff my feet dangling off the side. “You know what. I think I’ll take a break too.” Kai spoke quietly so only I could hear. The rest of the group kept going. Only Tyler looked back at us before they disappeared in the trees. “Why’d you stay behind?” I asked, “You hate being left behind.” Kai sat down next to me, “Well I’m not being left behind. You’re here.” I sighed as I looked out at all the trees, “I’ve always wanted to live out here. But now it just seems dangerous.” Kai laughed, “It was dangerous out here even before you met vampires.” I nodded trying to keep myself from laughing, “Yeah I guess your right.” Kai looked at me his blue eyes glowing in what was left of the sun. “You know,” I started, “I’ve never thought that I would have a life like this.” Kai gave me a quick smile, “Like what?” I looked into the soft orange sunset. It was a beautiful color. I had always loved how all the colors seemed to mix into one. And then they turned black. It was like how everyone only sees the colorful parts of other people’s lives but then when the dark painful parts show there asleep and never see how much that person struggles in life. “Like this,” I put my arms out to the side. “What does that mean,” Kai was speaking quietly his eyes looking deep into mine. “It means I never thought my life would be this crazy,” I whispered as Kai leaned closer. “Is crazy good,” Kai asked. I nodded, “Sometimes.” If I had leaned in just a little bit then I would have kissed Kai. I looked away quickly, standing up. I had gotten so caught up in the moment I almost had let myself do something I couldn’t take back. “We better go. It’s almost dark out,” I said as Kai stood up. Kai didn’t answer he just followed me into the trees. Behind us the colors were setting and the pain was beginning to show. The pain no would ever see.

I sit carelessly on the edge, overlooking all I’ve ever know. The forest where I learned to hunt, the river where I learned to swim, and the mountains where I learned to become a man. The sun is setting now and I fear it may be my last. I clench my side trying to maintain pressure as the blood pours out. Father always told me to avoid this side of the mountain, I guess now I know why. Why must the most important lessons be the hardest to learn? I should be scared, I should be running down this mountain to reach my father before it’s too late, and yet, an eerie calmness has fallen over me. As the setting sun falls from the sky, I look down below and wish they all knew how much I loved them. As the light fades from the sky, I lean to edge. I’ve always wanted to know how it felt to fly.

Catch me, I would cry As I child I’d leap and fly From the sofa to the arms Of my mothers strong embrace.

Catch me I would say As I danced the night away Danced until the early day And catch me they would obey.

Catch me I would whisper To my darling older sister To prevent another blister From climbing on the trees.

Catch me I would scream In my terrors, In my dreams Wishing someone were with me To catch me in my sleep.

Catch me now I cry On the edge where I won’t survive Waiting for someone to arrive Catch me, catch me, as I fall.

“I can’t do it Aerin—I can’t I just—“ “Hey, just take a deep breath.”

Flint, my brother, takes a deep breath. My brother

If thinking the word is bitter, I can’t imagine saying it.

He takes a deep breath, but I can tell that it hasn’t calmed him in the least.

He was a completely different person when I’d first met him in Casimir. He was quick, nimble, calm.

Now those quick eyes that were once used for his advantage are shifting uneasily, like he’s a calf about to be slaughtered.

The sky is clear today, leaving no protection from the sun. It glares down on us mercilessly, mocking our efforts to escape it.

I look over the edge of the dust covered cliff. It’s nothing but a dark abyss as far as the eye can see. Across from me, I can another cliff, faded and clay colored, 200 yards away.

There’s no way we can make it across without Flint being able to fly. I can’t carry him the whole way, especially since I’ve injured my wing.

I stretch out my right wing so I can examine my own faded white feathers. It’s sore, but I’ll make it.

I don’t have much to worry about, but Flint does. He stands a few inches farther from the edge, shaking visibly, his own metal, rusted wings clanking slightly with every shiver.

An old man in Casimir had made them out of rusted wheels and roof shingles. He had bent back the pieces of metal and melded them with such craftsmanship I didn’t have the nearest clue how to pay him.

That’s why I was caught off guard when he insisted on giving them to us for free. “Just let him fly again.” he coughed, patting me on the back.

Everyone in Casimir has their wings cut off as soon as they arrive. I can’t even fathom how painful it must be, to have them clipped off as if they’re nothing but fingernails. I wince at the thought, turning towards Flint, who’s still shaking with fear under the blinding sun.

“Hey.” I start, walking towards him as though I’m approaching a wounded animal. “We have to do this if we’re going to get home.”

Flint doesn’t say anything, his dark eyes hardening a little. He walks past me towards the cliff as I hold my hand over my eyes to give them a break.

Yet another gust of wind picks up a cloud of dust and carries it into the abyss toward Flint, whose fingers are finding the rusted lever positioned under his right arm.

He pulls it sharply, shooting the metal feathers outwards with a creak. The hot metal must be scalding by now, but I assume he’s used to heat. Casimir is nothing but a land wasted with fire and ashes.

I walk over to him as his metal wings outstretch fully. The wind is picking up now, and it pulls at some of the feathers, bending them in all different directions.

I too outstretch my wings, trying not to sound too mutilated when my right wing tightens up in pain.

Flint looks at me, his forehead beaded with sweat. “We should have stopped at Lorain’s, for your wing.”

“We don’t have time.” I remind him, clearing my throat “Ok. On three. 1.. 2.. “

“Wait.” starts Flint, “It’s just—it’s been so long since—“

“I know.” I say, trying to imagine the last time he’s flown. It was when he was ten, the day we revealed our gifts. The day he was sent away because his gift was considered dangerous.

“Stop saying that.” He shakes his head. “You don’t know. You fly almost everyday. Do you know how much of a privilege that is? And—and it was just taken from me. All because your ‘people of the Light’ were too afraid of a ten year old.”

“Flint.”

“And if I fly that just means I’ll have to face all those memories I’ve spent all these years burying—“

“Flint.”

“And if these metal wings that old man crafted were phony, and I start plummeting towards the ground, you can’t do anything about it because you messed up your own wing.”

“Flint.”

“It’s been so long Aerin, and I don’t know if I can.”

“This is how we get home.”

His silences. Home is one thing that keeps him together. We both lean over the edge, the dark abyss pulling us toward it like a magnet.

We leap.

What happened on this dragged cliffs, what was obscured by the salty mist? Those dark waters look inviting, hiding sharpened knifes.

“Come on Tess, you know you’ll never be able to live without me.” He whispered reverently, her name a wicked prayer on his lips. She was his god, and her body shivered in response, swimming in memories of what came after.

He moved closer, his breathe tickling the hairs of her neck.

“And let’s be honest, you probably wouldn’t want to.” She could feel him grinning against her skin, but she was a statue, unwavering, she wouldn’t—couldn’t let him in. Never again.

“But time heals all wounds doesn’t it?” She drawled, attempting to push him off, but his arms proceeded to wrap her further into the one-sided embrace. Again, repeat.

“Jack, get off me! I’m fucking serious!”

“Tess…” He mumbled into her skin, pressing kisses to her collarbone. This time her body recoiled, the disgust swarming her mind. It was pathetic, he was pathetic, and he wouldn’t MOVE.

“JACK!” His arms were suffocating, caging her body instead of holding it. She dug her nails into the skin of his stomach until blood welled up. His grip weakened and she finally kicked him off.

His eyes narrowed as held a hand to his stomach tentatively. “You little…I LOVE you!” It sounded almost convincing. What was Jacks version of Love? It was something that she had never bothered to question, but now seemed like a necessity.

She felt the knife before she saw it, a ribbon of scarlet appearing on her arm.

Later she would call herself a monster, but in the moment, he was the only one she could see. The monster was too close to the cliffs, and then the monster fell.

I slowly back away from her. I can’t tell what’s more scary, her gun or her glare. She continues to walk forward, pressing the weapon into my chest.

I take one more step back.

Her smug look disappears as my line of vision tilts towards the sky.

Weightlessness.

It’s been almost six months since that horrific evening. Jason stands at the edge of the cliff taking in the sunset. the sky is painted A warm red as the sun lightly shines rays against the water. the breeze slowly begins to pick up, Jason’s eyes are locked on the spot where he last saw her. “Jason please.” Her voice echos through his ears almost as if she’s still here. Jason takes a deep breathe and smiles. “Lovely view huh?” a voice says from behind him.

“ oh. Yeah great place to come too. my girlfriend and I use to come here often.”

“And where is she now? “ says the man.

“She died. Tragic accident. Drunk driver” Jason clenches his jaw and spits.

“I am sorry to here about that. I’m sure you didn’t hear about the accident that took place here.”

“No tell me about it.” Jason heart races but his face is cold.

“Poor girl. 25? Or 26? Fell off the edge. Some say she was pushed… on account of her fingers being broken. Seemed like someone was angry.”

Jason kicks a few rocks and watches them tumble down. “Person must’ve been angry, sad that happened to her”

“Yeah well, us hikers thought this spot would be closed off forever. But once they ruled it an accident, we can come back. Just put those signs up to not get too close”

Jason chuckles. “Safety first”

“Exactly. Well I’m Tom. It was nice to meet you”

“Jason. nice to meet you as well. Enjoy the view I better get going”

Jason begins to head down the mountain, and back to his car. on the way down, he can’t help but think of Allison. hearing her body hit every rock on the way down, the way her fingers snapped underneath his feet. As he reaches his car, his phone rings.

“Hey mrs. King. I just finished my hike, I just felt like I needed to be closer to her”

Mrs king sniffles. “ hi Jason, I know Allison would’ve loved to be on your hike with you. She always talked about your night walks together. “

“Did you need something?” Jason says starting up his car.

“I was calling to let you know they are reopening her case.”

“What? I thought it was ruled an accident. I thought it was a cold case”

“Well me and her father just didnt agree with the corners ruling. We just don’t think she’d commit suicide.”

Jason shakes his head puts the car back in park.

“That weekend Jason if you can remember, you said you weren’t with her on her morning hike”

“No I wasn’t. I was sleeping we had been on the boat all day. Allison really wanted to see the sunset so she went without me. when I woke up that’s when I found the note.”

Mrs. King gets quiet.

“You know mrs king, I never thought it would actually happen. I never thought she-“ Jason forces tears to his eyes. Hoping her mother will take the bait.

“I know Jason. She was just so full of life ya know? I was wondering if you’d come with us to review her autopsy? And go to the station? The cops just want to go over your statement.”

Jason throws the car in drive and slams on the gas. “Yeah sure thing mrs king. Can we meet tomorrow? I have some things to handle to day.”

“Sure no problem. Before I let you go the cops are going to look back at Allison’s old apartment to see if they can find anything”

Jason grits his teeth. “Great. Look mrs. King I have to go. thank you so much for calling. Talk to you tomorrow” he hangs up the phone.

his fingers tap on the steering wheel, he can feel the sweat under his arms. Quickly he types in an address.

“Directions to babes house. 2 hours and 10 minutes” the gps speaks loudly. Jason pulls out of the lot and heads to her place. his eyes narrow on the road as his head begins to flood with images. Him and her, her diary entries, her death, all the years together. But most importantly… her diary.

Salt, salt everywhere, in his hair, in his eyes, burning his tongue. Acrid sea water crashed against jet black rocks. Splashing upward, on to the cliff edge and spraying down on to him. The sea was far from calm, and Kieran’s spot of the cliff was compromising. It didn’t matter. It had to be done today. He resolved to wait on the cliff edge. He didn’t need to wait long. All at once the water stilled. Kieran peered over the edge, and saw a reflection that wasn’t his in the waters still surface. He took a breath in, and jumped.