Flight

'It's wonderful, isn't it?'
His voice sounded oddly distorted in the forceful gale. I could detect a sliver of apprehension in his rather indifferent words. My whipping hair prevented me from seeing his face, but I could tell that his feelings mimicked mine.
I looked down once more, and could feel myself going pale. We were poised at the edge of a terrifyingly precipitous cliff, whose sheer drop was unlike any other precipice I had encountered. However, the view was exhilarating- I could see the massive mountains lined with conifers, growing fainter with distance, the subtle shades of the rivulets that cut the valleys, the blanket of mist that coated my surroundings, and the soft shades of the rising sun. The ambience was frosty, and I could see my breath billowing out with every exhalation. But it wasn't the temperature that was sending shivers down my spine.
I tugged at the heavy equipment I was tethered to, ensuring that they were secure. Finding it difficult to gather my courage, I was mildly irked that my adventurous spirit shyed away from a new experience. I frowned at myself, and recalled the times I had gone deep sea diving in the sparkling waters of the Maldives, or trekking up the slopes of the Himalayas- I hadn't been afraid then. Perhaps my intrepid streak was leaving me, I thought with despair.
I looked around, and then looked up. Birds were soaring in an immaculate V formation, fearless and self-assured. What I was about to do wasn't much different from what they were doing now, and I felt a twinge of envy.
The sun had risen higher, and beads of perspiration rolled down my face. The yellow light was blinding, and the layer of haze disappeared just as rapidly. My thoughts and bravery remained landlocked in my mind, and did not reflect on my actions. I simply stood at the edge, entirely aware of time ticking away, but doing nothing to slow it.
My brother had already jumped, and was on the other side of the valley. My searching eyes had spotted a minuscule red dot on that side, which then blended into the trees, on its way back to the cabin.
Time passed, and the hours grew longer. The heat became stifling, and I found myself longing for the refreshing water springs near the cabin. But I would have to get there, first... Sitting on a rock, I charted the path of the sun as it arced across the sky. I delighted myself in little sights and occurrences- a pebble with blue markings, a bright, green butterfly fluttering aimlessly, the clouds that raced each other in their haste to cover new territory...
The sun's vigor began to dim, and an invigorating breeze began to flow, cooling my flushed cheeks and renewing my excitement. The rays of sunset slashed the sky, turning it a mixture or orange and magenta.
Making a split-second decision, I stood up, adjusting my paragliding equipment. I had already gone paragliding before, but in a much friendlier environment. Being with an instructor, I hadn't even considered it as a memorable exploit. Impatient to relive the feelings of thrill and pleasure of the previous excursion, I mustered my courage for the thousandth time that day.
The sky was purple, and the sun had begun its venture across the horizon. A perfect, strong wind was blowing, and I released my parachute into the air, and jumped.

Before I knew it, I was flying.