I stand on the balcony, looking at the hills below. To fall. To fly.

"To fall. To fly." I say to myself. I feel a hand on my shoulder.

"What happens when birds fly into the sun?" I hear my sister ask.

"What happens?" I ask her, even though I already know what she's going to say.

"They burn." She whispers, patting my head. I turn my head to face her, my dull eyes boring into hers. Her gaze, one of hopelessness and pity. I want to reach out, to comfort her, but I know it will break me. I don't tell false promises. Only two words escape my mouth.

"I'm sorry." I whisper, and watch as she enters the living room, closing the glass door behind her.

So that's it. To fall. To fly. To fall. To fly. I lean further over the balcony, the glistening grass below.

I lean a little further. To fall. To fly. A little more. I feel my feet lift off the floor.

Just a little more.

Over I go.

I feel the wind whisk past my face.

To fall.

My hair is flying everywhere, getting into my eyes.

To fall.

My heart beating fast, adrenaline surging through my veins.

To fall.

Sweat beading down my cheek.

To fall.

Wait, no.

To fall.

That's a tear.

To fall.

My eyes sharpen with determination.

To fall.

I see the ground rushing at me, my breath caught in my throat.

To fly.

I can see the dirt under the grass, the ants, the dew drops-

To fly.

Everything stops for a second.

To fly.

The air, so calm, and that beat...

To fly.

I can feel them on my back.

To fly.

Wings!

To fly.

I can see them in my mind's eye, beautiful white feathers, a form between angel wings and those of a swan. They are my freedom.

To fly.

I fly upwards, the air whooshing behind me, and I chase after the clouds.