Joan

Chapter XVIII

You'd think I have the worse luck in the world. You'd think, but my luck always tends to be fairly good when it comes to things, that is until I landed in this place, which is starting to feel more and more like the layer of hell I imagined it to be in the first place.

I'm trapped. If I try to make it the rest of the short way to the other side it will cause the rope to fray even more, but if I remain here in wait then my weight will eventually become too much for the poor rope and it'll give way. Either way, not the best choices available. Still, being a woman of action, I go with the first idea and start cautiously making my way over.

My upper arm strength could use some improvement, not gonna lie, but I have to grit through the burning sensation as I cling to the rope, dangling at least a hundred feet above ground. I'm just about forced to look down now and see how far of a drop it is from here to the tips of the lush greenery below. If there's one positive thing I can say, it's that it's quite the view.

It's a struggle to balance while also keeping my wits about me because I know the instant I start to panic, I'll lose control and I need all the control in the world right now.

"Are you sure you can make it?" Nimu calls out to me.

"No," I take a breath and release through my nostrils. "But I don't have much of a choice now do I?"

While I continue to shuffle along, with the threat of falling to my death at any moment, they stand on the other side looking as useless as sitting ducks. To be fair to them, I'm not sure what they could do to assist me, but watching them stand around isn't the best encouragement.

On top of the lack of positivity, I've become hypersensitive to every creak made and the result of what every move makes. Trying to keep my head in the game, I grit my teeth some more and press on, but just as my hand brushes the dirt of the ground a loud, sickening snap breaks the tension.

There isn't even time to yell or gasp or anything before gravity does it thing and takes me down. The only thing I do have enough time to accomplish- thanks to my instincts- is to immediately seize up, wrapping an arm through the plank in front of me as I'm taken down.

It's only a short drop down for me since I was lucky enough to be so close to the end when the bridge collapsed. Oh, believe me, it still hurt like hell when my face slammed into the plank as I hit the wall, but I'd take that over slamming face first into the ground any day.

The only indicator that reveals how scared I am is when I start panting- like a dog panting. It's as stupid as it sounds and even dumber to witness but I can't help it, my heart beats faster than when I'm running at full throttle, my chest rises and falls like I'm in the grips of a major heart attack, and I can't seem to fill my lungs enough. It's all the aftereffects of when I push myself too hard when running, except ten times worse.

Regardless, I usually suck it up in those moments, especially in public, and suppress the panic panting long enough to function.

"Joan?"

Hearing my name called from above (safely assuming it's not God), I look up to see Nimu peering down at me, her face flushed white. Looks like I wasn't the only one who's heart stopped during that, though I might be the only one who has to change underwear after this.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm dangling off a bridge by the skin of my teeth, yeah, I'm livin' the life."

Seriously? Does that question even need asking? It's like watching a person puke up blood and then asking if they're good. I mean, come on now.

Lan appears next to her, craning his head over the ledge.

"Are you able to climb up here?" He asks.