Down to Earth

The wind roared past Luke’s ears as he fell, a blur of blue sky and swirling clouds spinning in his vision. His altimeter ticked steadily downward, but his thoughts were elsewhere, primarily on the parachute strapped to his back.

“This is taking too long,” he muttered through gritted teeth.

He’d jumped from countless planes before, each dive more thrilling than the last, but today was different. He’d been forced to wear an old, borrowed rig after his own malfunctioned earlier that morning. The straps were frayed. The ripcord handle felt loose. And now, at 7,000 feet, the seconds dragged, stretching time into an unbearable eternity.

Luke pulled the ripcord sharply. Nothing. His heart pounded. He yanked again, harder this time. Still nothing.

Panic scratched at the edges of his mind, but years of training took over. He grabbed for the reserve chute handle, muscles moving in sharp, practiced motions. “Come on,” he growled, sweat slick on his palms despite the icy air.

The world seemed to hold its breath, the ground looming closer. Then...whoosh. The reserve canopy unfurled with a snap, jerking Luke upward with violent relief. The wind slowed to a soft hum, and the spinning world steadied beneath him.

Luke let out a shaky breath, his pulse beginning to calm. “I’m too old for this,” he muttered to no one in particular, floating gently toward the earth.

When his boots touched solid ground, he collapsed onto his back, laughing hoarsely at the sky. From nearby, his jump partner Harrison jogged over, grinning.

“What happened up there? Thought you were taking a nap!”

Luke groaned, sitting up. “Trust me, next time you’re packing my chute.”

He could hear Harrison laughing at him as he got to his feet.


Notes

Prompt for 12/12
Write a story that includes the line: “This is taking too long.”

289 words