Page 53 of Death Match

Glancing at the bridge, the answer presented itself.

Before I could think too much about it and lose my nerve, I grabbed the knife’s handle, yanked it out of the ground, and hurried over to the bridge. I stepped onto the first two planks, wrapped the rope railing around my wrist, and then began sawing at the part behind me with the dull blade.

I had to fall to get to her.

Frantically, I continued to saw through the thick rope, muttering obscenities as I went. Every second felt too long. Zach’s crying heightened my nerves, pushing me to work faster.

Little by little, the cord splintered.

When first rope broke through, the entire bridge swayed, and I gripped onto the closest plank, gasping for my next breath.

Keep going, Jade. You’re doing this. Don’t stop.

Moving to the next rope, I began to slice away at the next part of the railing. My hand shook uncontrollably. I worked through it. When the rope fell away, the bridge rocked again, and I clutched the wood for dear life.

“Fuuuuck,” I cried out. My curse ricocheted against the sharp rocks below, confirming the true depth of the ravine. My lungs froze behind my ribs. A fall from this height would kill anyone. Even an sorta-angel like me.

The moisture coming off the river below soaked my hair and clothes and made my grip slick.

“Jade?” Kay’s desperate plea for me floated up on the mist.

My fear at the moment might be great—colossal, even—but my drive to save them was greater. “I’m coming!”

Two more ropes to go.

I kept at it, speeding up my slicing until my wrist cramped. The moment the next rope broke, the bridge twisted, flipping me upside down and jerking my body sideways. My feet dangled, and I almost lost my grip all together.

I didn’t move for a few breath-taking moments. Not until everything settled and I could compose myself again. Carefully, I swung my legs up, hooked the toe of my boot in-between two of the planks, and then readjusted myself to start hacking at the last rope—my last lifeline to solid ground.

I released a shaky breath. One by one, I watched the threads pop out and strain. Zach’s cry echoed against my eardrums, and with one last slice of the knife, the bridge was completely free.

And I was falling.

For a few terrifying seconds, I dropped into the mist, the dampness soaking into my skin. My heart climbed into my throat, and my stomach somersaulted. I could do nothing but hold on and pray as I swung toward the ragged cliffside. My head spun, leaving me dizzy and disoriented.

Whatever you do, don’t let go!

As Zach’s shrills became clearer, I knew I was getting closer, and that meant I would be colliding with the rocks soon.

Would the impact be enough to kill me?

From the height I fell? More than likely.

Guess I should have thought this out better.

I was going to have to make a jump for it.

Dammit.

Worst that could happen? I missed the ledge Kay was on and plummeted into the water. But if I didn’t let go and risk it, I would be like a bug colliding with a truck’s windshield.

Squished and definitely dead.

Running out of time to think more about it, I released my hold of the bridge. I was really becoming a pro at this falling thing…but landing…not so much.

I dropped only a few more feet before my feet hit something solid, sending me tumbling and rolling forward. Rocks and who knows what else bit all over and scraped my flesh until I was stopped abruptly by smacking into the sharp rockface.

Colors exploded before my eyes, and the sudden explosion of pain across every inch of me left me weak. I lay in a heap on the ground, groaning. Through my still disjointed vision, I could see what looked to be the end of the bridge swaying above me.

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