28.

As I'm recounting this, I still can't recall what exactly had happened.

One moment, we were kissing each other, (and everything was perfect, so naturally, that's when things had to go downhill); the next moment, we were free-falling to our deaths, our parachute torn to shreds.

Something, perhaps a bird, had cut through our parachute with so much force, that it tore completely, rendered useless. But that made no sense. How could a mere bird cause so much damage?

We were falling much faster now, and I was scared out of my wits. Who wouldn't be?

I looked at your for comfort, reassurance, anything. I was hoping you would quickly do something to fix the parachute, or activate the backup parachute that was usually attached.

You did neither.

You looked at me with sadness, but your face had no trace of fear, or shock. It was as if you knew something like this would happen, and were waiting for it.

But that was impossible.

I could see the ground approaching, becoming more defined by the second. We would soon fall on the ground, and, given our pace and speed, crush our bodies, entirely.

You pulled my head near your chest, running your fingers through my flying hair, in what I suppose was meant to be a comforting way, though how I could be comforted in that situation, when we were plummeting to our deaths, I didn't know.

"Close your eyes," you had said, "trust me, close your eyes, it'll be fine. You'll be alright."

I didn't know if you were trying to convince me, or yourself.

But I obliged, closing my eyes, and pulling you closer, not wanting to believe that that was the end.

It couldn't be.

I risked squinting my eyes open a tiny bit, and saw you chanting and whispering something.

And then, everything became black.

x x x