A Summer To Remember

Writing Contest -  Daily Flash Fiction Challenge
Prompt:  Write a story that includes the words:  shop, rocks, tools

Word Count: 300

A Summer To Remember

Rocks pattered musically under the scuffed toe of Jess’s summer worn shoes.  The pleasant noise was out of place with the eleven-year old’s harsh panting.  He could hear the delicate pearls of laughter riding the wind, unknowing and indifferent to his plight. 

“Guys!” He strained to shout, and quickly bit his lip as terror swamped him.  Had it given, just a little?  Sweat trembled in glistening beads over his red, strained face.

Don’t look down…

They’d gotten the tools from Mikey’s dad’s shed, and scrounged the boards from behind a shop.  Each boast pushed it closer to the edge. 

The sun was beginning to dip in the sky, and the sound of play was fading.  Sweat dripped, with cruel joyfulness into his frightened eyes and his breath, ragged with pain, hissed from between clenched teeth.  His shoulders felt like they were being pulled with agonizing slowness from their sockets. 

Don’t let go…

The ramp had been built with all the ingenuity of children finally free from another long year of school.  The edge of the ravine, that had been a dare.

Parents always warned the neighborhood kids to stay away from the ravine, the edges were steep and unstable, but their warnings just made it all the more alluring. 

The ramp was far enough from the edge to feel safe.  But, when Kyle’s bike slid out from under him and almost went over, the rest got scared and left.  Not Jess though, he wanted to taste the sky again.

One more ride…

He could feel blood trickling lazily down his left leg, where it had banged harshly against the sharp stone wall of the ravine.  The root he held, straining to keep himself from the plunge, cut into his hands. 

One last breath and Jess closed his eyes. 

Let go…