14 Long Drop for Two

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Stephen Whiteside
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14 Long Drop for Two

Post by Stephen Whiteside » Wed Dec 28, 2011 5:55 am

14 Long Drop for Two

© Stephen Whiteside 28.12.2011

Hocus’ positioning of the party was exceptional. They landed close to the edge of the cliff, but quite safe. Hocus himself landed approximately half a metre beyond it. He promptly plummeted into the freezing waters below.

Pocus hesitated just long enough to kick off his boots. He then executed the most beautiful swan dive, and followed his brother.

The pool at the base of the waterfall was cold and deep. The shock of the impact as he struck it was just about as much as Hocus could bear. After several months of living in the climate-controlled confines of a space ship, he was not exactly conditioned for extremes. Nevertheless, he retained consciousness, tumbled over several times, then, without touching the bottom, levelled out and began to kick for the surface. It was at this point that Hocus, too, jettisoned his boots. There was no way he was going to make it with them. He was sure the time would come when he would miss them, but first priority was to ensure he did indeed have a life beyond these current moments being spent underwater.

With aching lungs, with body cold and sore from the shock of the impact, Hocus surfaced with a gasp. He turned round once quickly to ascertain the closest bank, and was surprised to find his brother in the water beside him. Together they struck for the shore.

In a few moments, the two were lying side by side on the pebbly bank of the river - cold, shivering uncontrollably, dazed. It was the first time in years that they had been together. Little did they know that, at the very same moment, their parents were orbiting high above Earth in a ship of their own.
Stephen Whiteside, Australian Poet and Writer
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au

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Maureen K Clifford
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Re: 14 Long Drop for Two

Post by Maureen K Clifford » Fri Dec 30, 2011 6:35 am

and here I was expecting to read about a trip to the dunny :lol: :lol: :lol: This story is taking shape nicely Stephen but I miss Horatio :cry:
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Stephen Whiteside
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Re: 14 Long Drop for Two

Post by Stephen Whiteside » Fri Dec 30, 2011 7:57 am

Alas, poor Horatio! I knew him, Yorick. Perhaps he will make a comeback one day...by popular demand!

Thanks once again for your interest, Maureen.
Stephen Whiteside, Australian Poet and Writer
http://www.stephenwhiteside.com.au

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