“Hand it over, now!”

“I can’t. You know I can’t,” she said, gasping for air. She was hanging on for dear life. There was no one there who could- or would- help her. The only way she could keep it safe from them is to let go of the rusty metal scaffolding while keeping her grip tight on the box.

Alice knelt down slowly, bracing herself with her fingers. She looked down at Nicole who’s fingers were sliding more and more… “I never wanted this, Nicole. Give me the box and I’ll pull you up. It doesn’t have to be like this. I don’t want you to leave.”

Tears coming down her face now, Nicole said in a firm, but strained voice, “You know that’s not possible. If I give up this box, everything changes.” Seconds after those tear-marked words, her hand fell away from the scaffolding, down into the chasm. Nicole closed her eyes, not knowing what would come next.