Wind and breath became one as Nadia's chest seized up into a cement block. There was an elegance to falling. It wasn't frightening. Instead, it was a slow-motion dance that turned the last minute of life into an hour.

She forced herself to exhale. The landscape below promised so much beauty, yet so much loneliness.

This is actually happening. You are going to crash.

Nadia thought everything would end with a panicked scream when the dark gloves grabbed her, released her. As she tumbled from the small plane, all sound stuck in her throat.

"Goodbye."

The jagged rocks awaiting echoed her silence.