I believe I can fly {Frankel}

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

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Mina Knudsen

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It’s time to fly. Time to leap from the cliff edge and allow time and luck to determine what happens to us. Anything can happen in that split second between stepping off the cliff and hitting the water but that isn’t where the danger just ends. Once I am in the sea, I need to release myself from the watery cage before I drown. There is no beach around here, just a slightly less steep cliff face to climb up. But I’ve done it all my life. I need to allow my past to give me reassurance that I will be safe. All the skills I have learnt will protect us both and a small ounce of luck will help boost our survival.

Fighting away all the negative possibilities, I can’t allow fear to take control of me. I’ve tried to pull away fear from Teagan however it seems to have taken a detour to me. It happens all the time. Maybe my conscious is telling me to grow up; maybe it’s my mother shaking her fist at me. If I can fight the face of my mother, I can laugh in the face of danger. I know I am not invincible but to survive in this world, we must allow ourselves to get hurt so we can learn. Prepare ourselves for worse to come for Panem is not at all a safe world. Thankfully District Four has all the necessary apparatus to help us train for life. Even outside of the training centre, there are still natural facilities for us to practice on. Cliffs, waves, even the nets that are crafted on the beach. All these necessary skills we need in life and may need when our names are pulled from that glass bowl.

Possibilities like to take over my mind; they like to distract me from the moment. I can’t allow them to do that now. Right now it is just me and Teagan. My mind can shut off for a moment and allow me to have fun.

Waves attack the cliff face, eroding away the rock with the hydraulic action from the water. The waves are waiting for us both, calling for us to jump into their clasp. They’re ready to gobble us up and hopefully quickly spit us back out again. As well as the waves, the cliff waits to give us the push to our possible doom.; it’s just the starting line to our finish.

Glancing to Teagan, I’d slip my hand onto his. ”Yes I can count!” I’d grin, slightly bumping him in the forearm with my free hand. ”Right then, lets go…three..”

Returning to me, the parade of possibilities begins to march across my mind. What happens if I jump too late, or if he does? What happens if neither of us returns to the surface? What happens if we spontaneously hit an invisible rock? I can’t allow it to take over.

”…two..”

Wiping away the fear, excitement wins the battle against the deadly emotion. I’ll enjoy it, he’ll enjoy it. Just this one jump and he won’t ever be able to stop throwing himself off. I just need adrenaline to kick in.

”…One!”

Having hold of Teagan, I’d step off the cliff of the edge; allowing luck to take over us both.

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[Knuckles]

Teagan 'Little T' Taifun

you may be knocked down, but not out forever

E

very fiber of my being shakes. My hands shake uncontrollably by my side as I fight to remain calm. My breathing speeds up, and my heart races behind my chest as adrenaline slowly rushes throughout my entire body. Eagerness pushes me forward as I stand staring down the cliff. What am I doing? I ask myself over and over again, but only one answer lingers in the front of my mind. I’m here to have a wonderful time with a friend, Mina. A large grin twists across my face from the nerves. I’ve learned when I’m nervous I begin to laugh uncontrollably especially when the adrenaline starts going; it pushes the old thoughts away from me. Adrenaline masks the fears lurking in every corner.

Taking a deep breath, I stare at the waves. Many times in my life, I’ve fallen, and many times I’ve climbed back up until I can stand on my own two feet again. I make sure my life doesn’t fall apart because nobody in the world is perfect. A gentle breeze pricks the back of my neck, and every hair stands on end.

Soon Mina, grasps my hand, and I’m standing next to her. My toes dangle off the edge of the cliff, and for some reason, all I can think about is running away. Yet it’s too late for that. This will go on no matter what. Biting my lip, I try to find a place to focus - I’ve never been one to stand at the edge of a cliff and look straight down. I’ve never even imagined I would do something like this in my entire life. Surely this is suicidal. But Mina swears she’s done it many times, and right now I trust her. What if she pushes me, and I fall to my death?

Oh shut up, Teagan. She won’t hurt you.

“Right then, let’s go...three.”

The world stops moving around me. I can’t move. I can’t think. I can’t do anything except stare straight ahead allowing myself to become a leaf in the wind. Something light. Something that won’t fall. Something that won’t die.

“Two…”

My heart leaps into my throat. I want to shout at her to wait. That I’m not ready. That I can’t do this. But the words catch in the back my throat, and I can’t catch the air that’s needed to breathe life into the words. My eyes scan the area trying to look for something to hold onto, but there’s nothing. Nothing at all.

“...One!”

When she jumps from the ledge, the force pulls me forward. For the longest time it feels like I’m standing in midair. Oh my god I’m going to die. Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god.

I’m falling.

Falling.

Falling.

Fear races through my entire body, and every single one of my muscles tense up. “I’m going to dieeeeeee.” My voice is frantic, and it sounds weird as the words linger in the air above me. Oh my god what have I done?

template by anzie

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

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Mina Knudsen

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Wrapping its protective layer around us, the sea breeze engulfs us both. Attacking my eyes during my descent to the water, I can feel them drying out. Despite lasting physically at least three seconds, the first time always feels so long; like an eternity. An eternity of falling and falling and falling, with no end in sight. Yet the ocean is waiting below to catch us, to protect us. If we are to fall into it correctly, than the mission will be accomplished, the goal of having fun will be met. But that goal has to be met successfully if this is all to go to plan. I can’t doubt it now, I am already in limb and it’s too late to stop what has already commenced.

Having a tight grip of Teagan’s hand, I wouldn’t want to lose him; I can only imagine what is going on inside of his head right now, I am sure he is frightened. I shouldn’t have forced him; I’ve ruined it with him. It was bluntly obvious that he was terrified to jump and now I am dragging him to uncertain doom right now. I can only pray that he receives the adrenaline dose that I used to get, the dose that I am obtaining right now.

Returning back to reality, as I quickly land into the water my ears pick up the audio left in the air; quite worrying words hit me. “I’m going to dieeeeeee.” Hopefully, he was just joking and wasn’t serious with the thought. I’d never want to put anyone’s life at risk, especially his. The night we met, he protected me and it wouldn’t be a feasible way of paying him back for that by killing him. Hopefully he has enjoyed this as much as I have just done despite my worries for his welfare. I am eager to scramble up that cliff face and do it all over again, with Teagan holding my hand just like now.

As my body descends through the water, I’d have to let go of Teagan’s hand to push myself back to the surface. Letting loose of his grip is like losing a limb but our detachment won’t last long, soon enough I’ll have his palm back in my own. My reassurance with his, his warm touch on me. Oddly it is something that sends a soothing comfort through me and I crave to have a dose of that comfort as much as the adrenaline that is swimming through my veins right now.

Reaching the surface of the water, I’d spit out the liquid that had found home in my mouth. Kicking my legs below to keep me afloat, I’d look for any sign of Teagan. As the winter sea attacks my body, goose bumps begin to march across my skin, sending my body into shivers. I want to get out quickly.

Calling for Teagan, I want to be assured of his safety before I free myself from the icy ocean. ”Are you alright Teagan?”

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[Knuckles]

Teagan 'Little T' Taifun

you may be knocked down, but not out forever

O

h my God. Oh my God. Oh my God. What have I done? That’s all I can think about as the wind blows through my hair, and the waves grow louder and louder the closer I get to the water. Time stands still, and it feels like I’m standing on the air, but I’m free falling to the water below me. Waves open and close waiting to devour me the moment I hit them. They’re coming closer, closer, closer. I clench my mouth shut tightly fighting against the screams raging inside my chest begging to bust through my teeth. My eyes snap shut tightly, and I’m sure I look like a fool right now, and it takes everything I have to not break the fingers of the girl holding my hand.

Every hair stands on end. Droplets of water, spraying from the waves below, start slowly drenching my leg. I am not supposed to be afraid of waves - it’s not the waves that are scaring me, though. It’s the thought of what’s underneath the water. It’s the thought of hitting the water wrong and breaking my neck and dying. I don’t want to die.

I’m not ready for my life to come to an end;

Not yet.

My feet connect with the water, and it feels like my body slammed into a cement parking place. Pain shoots through my body, and I’m stunned. Frozen in place unable to move. A loud gasp escapes from my lips as my body sinks past the waves. Water flows into my mouth, and my entire body starts shaking again. Mina’s hand released mine, and I can’t find her anywhere. I look around trying my best to see under the water, but I can’t see anything, and I can’t bring my legs to move. I try to spit the water out of my mouth, yet it keeps flowing in.

I can’t breathe.

Floundering around like a fish, I try to move. I try to bring myself back to reality, but my body refuses to move. Is this it? Is this how I die? To the waves?

Closing my eyes once more, I try to remind myself of the first surfing session I had with a trainer. ”If you start sinking, just relax, and you’ll start floating.” But how can I relax right now? I’m drowning. I’m going to die. I should’ve ran while I had the chance. ”If you fight, you’ll only find yourself lost.” It’s those words that ring through my ears over and over again. Relaxing is important. I have to save my energy for whatever happens next. I grip the side of my shorts, and I slowly force myself to calm down.

My head breaks free of the water, and I open my eyes and look around as I cough out all the water that’s tried to flow into my lungs. Where are you, Mina? My eyes scan the area as I run my fingers through my hair. That’s when I hear her voice speaking over the waves, but I can’t make out the words she has said. “Mina?” I ask before a wave crashes over top of me sending me underwater once more.

template by anzie

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

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Mina Knudsen

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Kicking my feet beneath the water, I’d try to build up buoyance so that I’d stay afloat. It’s never resulted like this before, never. My brother’s first time, my friend’s first time, my own first time; we all enjoyed it. Nothing happened, everything went just as planned. It must be my luck. Whenever I am trying to bond with new people, it drains away into the ocean. Swept to the wilderness beyond the horizon, with the debris from the mainland. It’s my mother, it’s her, she controls my container full of luck and today she has poured it all out. Everything wrong with me is her fault…everything.

Find Teagan.

Tackling my thoughts, I’d forget about the boy I had let go of. I should have kept our grip, I wouldn’t have lost him. Maybe I have killed him. Shaking off the thought, I can’t just jump to that conclusion just yet. I can no longer rely on just pot luck, I need to do things for myself and right now I need to save a friend. A friend who protected me, who showed me much more about this world, than anyone else. I can’t just forget about him. I can’t let the ocean swallow him up.

”Teagan!” I’d call over the music of the waves. From the cliff tops, all looked calm on the surface of the water but it seems I was wrong. The creeping winter has really taken a toll on the mechanics of the ocean and being in the centre of it right now, does not feel safe. We both need to get out and not do this again, at least not for another six months. You’re idiot Mina! Look what you’ve done, you’ve hurt him…he’s probably at the bottom of the ocean…dead and it’s all your fault!

Pushing my arms through the waves, I’d shut off my conscious as it begins to distract me from the rescue. ”Mina!” As a familiar voice finds itself through the audio of the ocean, the strings in my heart would expand with assurance, sending a soothing feeling through my body. As the emotions tackle away the paranoia that once swarmed it, I’d allow this change to push me through the water towards Teagan.

”Teagan!” Calling once more, I’d signal my arms in the air, making him aware of my whereabouts before I head towards him. Kicking my feet, I’d swim with a break stroke towards him quickly, craving his warmth on mine. Prancing across my skin, goose bumps would’ve caused a pandemic as the temperature of the sea would take a toll on my body. I really need to get out before it shuts down my body but I need to get him out first.

As I reached Teagan, I’d throw my arms around his body, relieved that he is safe. ”We shouldn’t be doing this, not now, we just need to get out and get warm!” The thought of cosying up to a hot fireplace would run a trailer through my mind, really fancying the scenario to become true. I just want to be with him, while being somewhere safe.

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[Knuckles]

Teagan 'Little T' Taifun

you may be knocked down, but not out forever

C

old chills shoot through my body eating away at my skin. Every hair stands on end as I look around doing my best to find a way to survive. Even during surfing, I know not to enter the water when the temps drop below a certain temperature. Hypothermia is imminent if we don’t get out of the water soon. Shivering, I open my eyes below the water allowing the salt to flow inside little by little. Pain shakes through my body, and I try to get out of the water praying that Mina is safe because that’s my only fear right now. Knowing that she’s alive. Knowing that I care about her in the midst of all the storm.

Relaxing my body, I allow myself to float to the top once more. Numbness shoots through my body. It feels like an electrical current is running through my legs making my feet tingle. What if I’ve done something? It’s a question that lingers on my mind. The pain hasn’t gone away ever since I landed. It felt like a concrete barrier driving through my skin. I wasn’t prepared for the damage it would do. I wasn’t prepared for the amount of pain it would send through my body. I’ve always heard about breaking the water properly. I’ve heard that it hurts. I’ve heard that it can do damage to people. But I have never experienced it for myself until now.

My head pops above the water, and I’m looking around trying to find her when I see her arms flailing in the distance. Relief floods through my veins as I begin making my way over to her fighting against the never ending numbness. “Mina!” I call out as I slowly get closer to her, and once we’re within distance of one another, her arms wrap around me, but it’s not enough to control the shivers running through my body. My teeth chatter together as I pull her closer begging for some sort of relief, but none comes. It feels like it’s only getting worse with each passing second. Her words ricochet through my mind over and over. It’s true what she’s saying. We need to get out of this. We need to find someplace warm. A place with a fire. Perhaps a place with nobody there.

A light flickers on in my mind as I think of a place I’ve gone to many times when I’ve needed to get away. “I know a place. It’s not too far from here. It’s a bit of a walk, but trust me, it’s perfect.” I don’t know what I’m saying, but it sounds good to me. I don’t know if it’s perfect, but I know how to build a fire there. If everything fails, it all could come to an end right now, and that isn’t an option. My arms flail in front of me as I try to kick towards the shore. I’ve never experienced anything like this in my entire life. I was foolish to try to jump in the freezing water. I was foolish to even attempt it, but today has been fun. It’s been a once in a lifetime experience. A large grin twists across my face as I kick with all my might before turning back towards her. “Well, it might not be perfect, but it’s a little place I set up for when I’ve wanted to get away. It should still have some firewood there.” I add before pulling myself out of the water.

I just hope she’s interested because right now that might be our key to survival.

template by anzie

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

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Mina Knudsen

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Continuing to keep my buoyancy as my arms are wrapped around Teagan, I’d be relieved that we’re back together, safe…for now. All we need to do now is get to dry land and get warm for if we allow the cold to attack our body, our organs will shut down and it is prominent that we will not survive that. Kicking my legs back and forth beneath the water, the pain and shivers would rise up my body as the dose of adrenaline runs out of power. Every feeling that was immune to me earlier suddenly awakens and my eagerness to climb the rocks to a less watery surface becomes greater.

An aching pain begins to swarm my head, the cause of the pain unknown. All of the gruesome stories that my brother’s used to share with me begin to flash through my mind, my old friend of worry knocking at my brain’s door. I can’t allow it to enter, not now, I need my mind for us to get out. I remember the story of how a boy sliced open the sole of his foot while walking across the rock pools, the story of the girl who lost her head while surfing and the story of a man who hit the rocks poking from a cliff not far from here and never returning to the surface.

Although the pain in my head brings out a more finely detailed story, one that my arch-nemesis of worry is eager to remind me of. My brother’s and my father were out to sea on the trawler, the ocean being in one of its rougher moments. A wave swept on top of the deck, grabbing one of the crew and dragging them into the mouth of the sea. They survived the decent but because they ‘rose out of the water too quickly’ ,they weren’t out of danger yet. Supposedly they had pain in their head, when they were dragged back onto the deck, I can remember my brother saying something about ’bubbles’ in their brain, their head was in so much pain. They were ill for a long time because of it but I doubt it was true, how can you get bubbles in your brain? However the pain in my head right now reminds me of the story but it can’t be, it is just worry trying to trick me…I must shake it off.

Wiping away my thoughts, I’d turn to Teagan noticing the large grin march across his face. Did he really enjoy it? Even after the danger that we were in…still in, he enjoyed it? Maybe I haven’t ruined it for us after all. Even after such a catastrophic finale, it will be something fun for us to remember, as soon as we get into a safe zone.

”Sounds like a good plan.” I’d say, as I’d grab Teagan by the arm, beginning to slowly swim to the shore.”We’ll just have to climb up this short slope and we’ll be safe again, it’s not hard to climb. That many people clamber up here, it’s turned into like… a stairs or something.”

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[Knuckles]

Teagan 'Little T' Taifun

you may be knocked down, but not out forever

T

he adrenaline that was once surged through my veins is quickly replaced by the worse pain I’ve ever experienced in my entire life. Jolts of electricity shoot through my body. Tingling sensations grow stronger in my feet. Grimacing, I try to keep myself going fighting against the pain that’s trying to hold me back. Fuck. This is worse than the time I broke my arm while surfing. It’s worse than the time I split my head open because I didn’t listen to my parents and fell off the side of a boat. This pain feels like someone has taken a hot knife and stuck it deep into my back. Every muscle in my body starts spasming. Gritting my teeth, I try to hide the pain I’m in.

Today is supposed to be a day of fun filled joy, but this isn’t joy. Mina is so excited to be going somewhere good. What if this was her way of getting rid of me? Allowing my head to go beneath the water for only a second, I reach my free hand up wiping away the tears that’s sitting on the brim of my eyes. She probably thinks I’m a horrible person right now. I had so much fun jumping. The way the breeze collected around my body. The way the adrenaline rush took over. I had a blast, but now it doesn’t seem so fun. When I hit the water, it felt like I had slammed into concrete.

Resurfacing, I can’t hide the pain. I can’t control the grimace on my face as I turn to face Mina. I truly feel like I’m in trouble right now. I feel like this is something that won’t just go away over time. I listen as she talks about the walk way out and how people have made it look like stairs. At least it doesn’t sound that hard to accomplish.

Allowing myself to lie on my back, I float for a moment before reaching my arms above my head to backstroke -

FUCK!

Curling up into a ball, I try to find a comfortable position to hold. Surely this pain will go away on its own. It’s probably nothing, however, it feels like it’s so much more than I’m imagining right now. "Yeah. Okay." I whisper. A safe place sounds wonderful right now although I feel I won’t make it to the safe place I want to go to. "Let's get out of here."

Each time I fell before, I would get back up and try again. I would bring myself forward with a much stronger pride. I wouldn’t allow it to hold me down. But this, this pain, seems to hold me down right now. Maybe I should’ve listened to my instincts and ran while I had the chance, yet out of respect towards Mina, I allowed myself to jump. Such a foolish, foolish boy.

Reaching forward to stroke again, the pain becomes unbearable. "FUCK!" I shout louder than I meant to. It’s an urgent moment right now. Trying to figure out why I have so much pain registering throughout my body.

"Mina, I think something is wrong." I try to wipe the grimace from my face and remain calm because I don’t want her to panic - that’s the last thing I need right now.

template by anzie

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

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Mina Knudsen

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Every second that we remain in this winter ocean, is another second removed from our life. I just want to free us both from this icy watery jail, which will likely close up on us both in no time. I am a foolish idiot; I nearly put both of our lives into danger. What was I thinking? Yes the sun was out in all of its glory this morning but it is still winter. The ocean hasn’t compromised well with the orange globe in the sky and continues to be its wicked cruel self. My mother has been telling the truth all the time. I have no brain. I have no common sense.

Mina Knudsen you’re a stupid, stupid girl! You ought to stay inside before you kill somebody else

I haven’t killed anyone, not yet…not ever.

I can’t let that crude woman enter my brain ever again, she has made me this way and it is her fault. I just want to escape from her, never see her face ever again. She has not been the mother she should have been; she is not the ideal wife for my father. If she doesn’t go, I will.

Looking over to Teagan as he floats in the water, the thought then arises in my mind. Maybe I could stay with him? But will he want me, now that I nearly killed him. Even though we’re both safe, I still pressured him into doing something he didn’t wish to do. Will he ever trust me? Dear ripred Mina, he has agreed to go somewhere safe with you, of course he still trusts you!

Observing him as I kicked out my feet beneath the surface of the water, I can still feel the hypothermia marching up my body. Soon it will have a great grip on me and it will be too late to fight it off. I have never had such an illness before only silly childhood injuries. The only thing my mother did well was clean the wounds that used to be painted across my body. Grazes and scratches from when I was performing my body tricks on the hard ground, before I realised the beach was a much softer ideal surface. Before I gained some sort of a brain. I have never had anything serious, such as a break. Although I have seen my brothers break bones as well as return from sea with deep gashes on their foreheads.

Swimming closer to Teagan, I’d be eager to get us both out of the water although I can something serious paint itself on his face and the words that fall from his mouth confirm this seriousness. Quickly reaching him, I’d put my arms on his shoulder wanting to know what the matteris. ”Whats wrong?” Panic begins to entwine with my words as my enemy of worry returns for the fourth…maybe fifth battle of the day. ”Are you hurt? Are you hurt? Are you okay?”


Look at you Mina Knudsen, you stupid…stupid girl!

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[Knuckles]

Teagan 'Little T' Taifun

you may be knocked down, but not out forever

F

alling from a surfboard is nothing compared to this. Even from the highest of waves, the pain didn't hurt like this does. Jolts of electricity shoot through my muscles over and over, yet I can't think of anything that went wrong. Cocking my head slightly, I try to remember all that happened today after jumping from the cliff. I remember holding her hand as we flew towards the bottom, I remember breaking the water - that's when the pain started. Surely landing in the water flat footed wasn't right because it felt like I had landed on concrete. I should've known better. But I had never jumped from a cliff before. Nobody told me there was a wrong way to break the water, and now I'm trapped inside the freezing water as my body slowly begins to become one huge muscle spasm. I can feel it becoming harder and harder to keep myself afloat, but I can't die like this. This icy cold water will not become my grave.

"What's wrong?"

Her words are clear as day as she places her hand on my shoulder. If only you knew. I want to say, but I can't. My jaw clenched shut tightly, and my teeth grind together. Tears stain the corner of my eyes threatening to fall down my face at any given second. Chills shoot down my spine, and I'm shivering under the water. Perhaps jumping today wasn't the smartest idea in the world, but here we are, and we have to get out before it's too late. In a way, I would prefer dying in the water since I spend most of my time here, but I would rather die from a surfing accident than falling from a cliff and freezing to death. "Are you hurt? Are you hurt? Are you okay?" Worry begins to set in as she panics around me. Right now we have to get out of the water. We need to get somewhere warm. Somewhere with a fire and blankets and maybe even a cup of hot cocoa. But how can I keep her from worrying right now?

Grimacing in pain, I lift a hand wiping the water from my face. "Mina, we have to get out of the water before we both freeze to death." My teeth chatter together as I allow the frigid cold air into my body. Little tiny goose pimples form cover my arms, and I fight to keep myself above the water as I place my hand in her's. "I'm alright right now. We just need to get out then I'll see." I carefully begin swimming my way to the shore. One stroke after another, I fight against the pain. Mama always said being stubborn can only make the injuries worse, but in this case when my life is teetering on a thread, I know being stubborn will work wonders.

template by anzie

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

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Mina Knudsen

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My father’s words flood my mind; everything that he taught me begins to recite in my memory. All those risk assessments that I believed to be stupid, the first aid practices that I had always struggled with begin to crop back. I use to find the information that he as pointless but right now it could save two lives. I need to focus; I need to remember everything that he taught me. Attacking my skin, the battle against hypothermia begins as the cold slowly sets into my body. Taking my hold, the icy sea is beginning to dig my watery grave. I just need to remember. Don’t go into shock Mina, focus and keep your mind.

Still having my hands on Teagan’s shoulder, I’d be relieved that we’re together and even though he seems hurt, he is at least a live…for now. Feeling heavy, my eyes begin to drowse off, it’s hard to fight against the tiredness that is marching across my body but this isn’t I battle I can surrender too. Even if the ocean is the ideal dying place for many, it isn’t for me. I want to be somewhere comfortable, surrounded by everyone I love and I hope it is a quick death too. I am told hypothermia feels like an eternal death, even if it isn’t that long in reality. Each piece at a time, it chisels away at the vitals, removing every last bit of life. The thought sends even more shivers down my body. Rubbing my eyes, I’d try to hide my tiredness from Teagan, I must use the rest of my energy to free us both.

As I breathe, it feels like something is compressing down on my lungs. With each breath I take, it becomes more of a struggle and the more I think about my breathing, the worse it becomes. It is no longer natural, I am manually controlling it. I must think of something else quick and get my breathing back to normal.

Kicking my legs beneath me, I’d slow them down slightly, wanting to salvage my energy but still stay buoyant in the water. "Mina, we have to get out of the water before we both freeze to death.” I agree with Teagan’s words entirely, my body craving to be on dry land again. Rubbing my fingertips against the palms of my hands, I can feel the skin beginning to shrivel up, indicating that I have been in the water for too long.

Taking Teagan by the hand, I’d begin to slowly guide him to the exit of the ocean. ”Come on, let’s get out now!” I’d say in quite a fast panicked tone. Even though the distance is not that far away, swimming to the cliff feels like an eternity. I need to keep my mind straight; I need to guide us out of this danger. I am the one who put us both in it, I must be the one to drag us out of it.

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[Knuckles]

Teagan 'Little T' Taifun

you may be knocked down, but not out forever

F

ear creeps through my body as Mina pulled me towards the shore. Not even the small amount of adrenaline surging through my veins could compare to the pain lingering inside my back - it’s the worse I’ve felt in my entire life, yet the will to survive keeps me pushing forward. Throughout this short time I’ve made a friend. Perhaps that’s what keeps me swimming despite my body screaming at me to stop. A dark abyss threatens to swallow me. A black hole tries sucking the life from me, but I fight against it swimming as hard as I can in order to escape.

Not once in my entire life have I been this cold. My hands are shriveling up, but what’s more important is the constant burning; it feels like someone has took a match and lit my hands on fire, yet a flame dies in seconds.

Today I made a stupid decision. It went against my will to jump from the cliff - my mind told me to run, however, I stayed out of loyalty to Mina; I just hope this doesn’t cost me my life. I can’t; no, I won’t let this ruin my life forever. Death isn’t the answer here. But for whatever reason it keeps reaching out for me and pulling me closer and closer, and the bright lights dancing behind the door mesmerizes me. Hypnotising me. Drawing me closer and closer. Part of me wants to swim past the door to never look at the rest of the world again -

My family won’t care if I’m dead. Falcon would feel extreme joy knowing he outlasted me. Mom and Dad would think it’s a good riddance, and feeling that way hurts; it’s enough to keep me going despite the world pressing against me.

Shaking my head gently, I look the other direction praying to a god that nothing happens to me, and the door leading to death and destruction snaps shut in front of me.

Icy chills sweep across my body. Every hair stands on end, and my teeth chatter against one another. Shivering, I keep pressing myself forward hoping the shore isn’t much further away because I honestly don’t know how much longer I can keep going. Between the pain vibrating through my back, and the frigid temperatures threatening to devour me, I feel like the world wants me dead. Nature is playing against me for the first time in my entire life, and I opened the door for it when I stepped off the cliff.

I had every chance to run away, to turn back and let this all go, yet I decided to go along with it. Mina surfed with me, and I figured nothing bad would happen from jumping off a cliff despite the many stories I heard.

Grimacing, I run a hand through my hair pushing it out of my face before turning my gaze towards Mina. I’m slowing her down, and I’m putting her in danger - she needs to let go of me and free herself because I can make it to the shoreline; it may just take a while. But I can’t find the words to speak. My mind is a jumbled mess, and I’m unable to comprehend anything, yet through gritted teeth, I find the words I’m look for.

"Mina, I don't know how much more I can take."

template by anzie

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

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Mina Knudsen

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Time is the only thing on our side right now. Time takes lives every day but today is not our day to be taken. We have to fight death and make it leave us alone. I have never been in a life and death situation like this before, but there is always a first for everything. If I pull out if this, no you will pull out of this Mina! It will be a new experience for me and if it happens again, I will know exactly what to do to get out of it. Or I will learn from my stupid mistake and not allow it to happen again. Either way I can’t be thinking about if it will happen again as I need to get out of this right now.

Death has crossed my mind many times before, as I am sure it has a lot of people. I have death knocking on my door every year, when my name gets placed into that glass ball numerous times. For now, I haven’t answered the door too death and hopefully it will remain shut for a long time. I am from a career district and I am more or less obliged to be a good tribute candidate although I am not like them. I am strong, I am not clever and I get myself into stupid situations like this.

Dying in the ocean doesn’t appeal to me, I am not sure about Teagan seeing as he lives in the waves but I would rather not be an appetizer to a shark. I’d rather just feed the worms in the ground. Unless the waves were playing ball and washed our bodies onto the beach, then we would never be found. Our families would have to mourn us, not knowing exactly what happened to us. Maybe we would wash up on another coastal District or maybe a faraway land somewhere.

Shaking my head, I’d try to drag my mind back into reality, needing to focus to free us both. Keeping a firm hold of Teagan’s arm I’d guide us to the shoreline. My plan on climbing up the side of the cliff would not be ideal for us and thankfully there is a small beach just further up the coast, it may take two minutes longer than reaching the less steep cliff but it will be ideal for us both.

Marching across my forehead, the burning pain continues to attack my head. Blurring my vision slightly, it feels as though my brain is going into meltdown. Swarming the entirety of my cranium, the pain becoming hard to ignore. I can no longer feel the cold, I don’t know whether that is a good thing or a bad thing. But I must forget about my own pain and focus on getting us both free from danger.

"Mina, I don't know how much more I can take."

Turning my head back to Teagan following his words, I’d scrunch up my face in panic. ”No no, we’re not far now, come on just a little bit more and we’ll be on dry land!” Trying to push Teagan to continue, I didn’t want to give up so easily. ”We will be nice and warm soon” Keeping the hold of his arm, I’d continue to power my body towards the beach with the little energy I have left.

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[Knuckles]

Teagan 'Little T' Taifun

you may be knocked down, but not out forever

H

oping for a break became a worthless reality. Each second is life or death, and receiving a break in the midst of it all would only send us crashing. Mina is the first friend I have ever had, and to see her keep pushing forward with a will to survive outwits the lingering thoughts of death echoing through my skull. Sure dying in the waters is how I want to go, but not right now. Not in front of my friend. Not when I still have so much of a life left to live. Yet the only obstacle standing in my way of making it to the shore is myself, however, the excruciating pain swimming from my back is slowly consuming me.

Every muscle inside my body is ceasing, and it hurts to move. If I had enough energy, I would be crying, but it all washes away with the waves. Breathing becomes painful and labored. My feet are numb, my legs tingling as the numbness slowly creeps up my body. I wish she’d let me go, but she’s not. She doesn’t want to - Mina is risking her life to save mine, yet my own strength is slowly failing as my mind drifts into the unknown.

Adrenaline isn’t pushing my forward anymore. It flew away like a bird leaping from a tree to fly through the air. My fingers are cramping, and my hands are stuck in a fist as I spit water into the air praying for a miracle - I don’t believe in a higher being, at least I didn’t before, but one has to be there because in all reality, I should have died.

Scrunching my face together, and grimacing in pain, I try to find the inner will to survive. To keep myself going in the darkest hours of the storm. Tidal waves of emotion sweeps through me while thoughts of my parents and family fly through my brain. Father wouldn’t care if I died. Mother wouldn’t care if I died. Falcon wouldn’t care if I died. Nobody I know would care except Mina. She’s proven this so much to me right now. She’s proven she’s a loyal friend. Someone I want to get to know more. Someone I want to spend a lot of time with. Perhaps the feeling is mutual. One can hope, right?

But as she drags me forward, I can’t keep myself going anymore, and I yearn for her to understand. She needs to save herself and forget about me; I’m deadweight. I’m physically unable to move anymore, yet she promises we’re close. She promises warmth - I would give up the entire world for a warm cup of hot chocolate right now. I want to stop and let her go. I want to give in to the pain threatening to devour my soul, but deep inside I know giving up isn’t an option because it seems Mina won’t let me.

Words leave me, and I can’t say anything. An invisible noose wraps around my neck drawing tighter and tighter. Only one thought races through my mind, and I don't’ want to die because there’s so much I still want to do. But I don’t say any words. Violent howls fill the air around me as I try to dig deep to find the strength needed to survive.

template by anzie

[d6a georgie cham 🍓🐢 frankel]

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Mina Knudsen

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I can’t lose my focus. I can’t lose my focus. If I lose my focus we’re dead. I never asked for this, I didn’t plan for this to happen like it did. I planned for happiness; I planned for adventure, something for us both to remember. I don’t want to remember today forever because of the danger we’re in…that is if we have forever in front of us. No. I must fight the negativity that is trying to slain me. I can’t let my own demons and worries kill us both, I am in control and I must take that responsibility.

You’re not a responsible person Mina. No, I can’t start putting myself down now but it is hard to find my conscious. When have I ever been in such a situation and taken control of it before? I have never had pressure on my shoulders; I’ve never been the one to lead a group. And I never want to be like that. I am a sheep; I stand in the shadows and do as I am told no matter how much I deny it. I may be stubborn with my mother but when it comes to reality, I always do as I am told. I am not clever, I am not sensible…I shouldn’t be responsible for somebody’s life.

Teagan has grown to be one of my most loyal, caring friends and I literally threw him off a cliff. I threw away our friendship…I threw away our lives. If he ever forgives me when we reach dry land, I shall be astonished. I don’t know if I could ever forgive someone who put my life in danger…who threw me off of a cliff. I would have to abandon them; I could never trust them again. I love my life and if someone ever did what I have done to Teagan, I would never want to see their face again.

Fading out of my mind, it is becoming harder and harder to focus. Seawater is finding itself in my nostrils and mouth, filling up my insides, it as if someone has their hands wrapped around my neck ready to choke me. Blurred vision is causing navigation to be hard and no matter how many times I try to wipe my face, more water attacks my eyes. Guiding my body and Teagan’s with my left arm, I’d put all the power in the limb and my legs. Whatever petrol is left in my tank, I need it to power us to the beach.

Collapsing within my rib cage, breathing is becoming more and more of a task. Maybe it is the seawater that filling inside of them or maybe hypothermia. I can no longer feel the pain in my muscles and I don’t know if that is a good sign or not but I must forget about me and focus on Teagan. He looks more in a state than me and the further I drag him forwards, the more he feels like a dead weight.

Closing my eyes, I’d just carry on swimming, imagining reaching dry land. Planting my feet into warm sand, throwing myself on it. Being draped in a warm blanket, filling my stomach with a hot mug of coco.

I can feel the land, I can feel the sand filling the gaps in my toes…wet clay like sand…it feels real.

That’s because it is.

Opening my eyes, I have gotten us to the shallow waters near the beach. I have done it. I have accomplished something. I actually did it. Mina Knudsen saved the day!

Turning to Teagan, I’d observe him, a panic alarm sounding inside of me…he looks so lifeless…”Teagan! I’ve done it! We’re on the beach, come on we’re on the beach!”

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Words: 618

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