To See a Fall….
By
Jane Royce
“Somebody help here, Johnny’s lines are loosening, grab something, help
me or else he’s gonna let go”
“Oh Lord, what the hell happened?!”
“Johnny! NOOOOOOOO!”
“Somebody help him, what the hell happened to his lines?!”
“HEEEEELP!!!”
“Engine 10, this is Captain Stanley, get your fire net set up, our man’s
lines aren’t going to hold!”
“Dammit Cap, we can’t hold him, we need more rope to grapple, we’re gonna
lose him!”
“Oh God no, OH GOD, the rope is spent, he’s FALLING!!”
“Oh God help him, please!!”
“Johnny, oh God Johnny No!!!”
Silence, silence save for the panicked breathes of the men who can only
watch in horror.
‘Johnny’s face is serene, he knows. He
knows. Oh God, he knows.’
‘Johnny, you are my friend, I love you like a brother, I love you.’
‘Oh God John, I am sorry for everything I’ve ever done or said to hurt you,
oh God please, I’ll stop that if you let him live, please God, let him live!’
‘John, this is surreal, this can’t be happening, it just can’t. I’ve sent you to your death.’
‘I can’t breath, this can’t be happening.’
‘NOOOOOOOOO!!!’
"Ok men, get ready, he's in a good position, lets get
under him and let him rest right in the middle."
THWAAAP
*****
“Oh my God, I don’t believe it”
Not one member of the team could stand on their own legs after Johnny’s
landing, not one could bear their own weight as relief replaced panic and
breathlessness.
