The jump

{Word Count: 1188}

It was here, Panic had finally begun. Carrington had called Veronica during her lunch break and gave her the news, apparently Nat (one of Carrington's friends) had told him. In that moment everything around her seemed to close up around her, swallowing her whole. She knew this moment was coming but she hadn't fully prepared herself for it yet.

She drummed her fingers against the steering wheel to the song playing from Carrington's aux. The drive to the quarry seemed painfully slow, the music filled the silence as they both stayed silent. They both felt the thickness of the air.

Finally they pulled into the gravel road, parking the car on the side. Veronica sighed heavily, leaning her head back against the seat with her eyes closed. She could not believe she was actually going through with this. "Ronnie, are you okay?" Veronica side eyed him, what a stupid question to ask someone who's about to face one of her biggest fears.

"Right stupid question." He cringed with a chuckle, she chuckled too letting most of the nerves die down. Carrington wasn't playing Panic, his father was a sheriff's deputy so he wasn't in need of it. He was just there for moral support, and Veronica couldn't be more thankful.

They made the rest of their way to the quarry on foot, the fireworks popping above them as they walk in silence. A weight seemed to press on Veronica's shoulder getting heavier the closer they got.

Most people were already there, some sat on huge rocks or stone barricades, some spread out on blankets and some in lawn chairs. "Phones." Summer said as they approached a small makeshift table, they handed her their phones and she put a post it note on them. " don't take this off." She said almost singingly, they both nodded walking further into the group.

Veronica's breathing began to quicken, her hands became clammy. It was finally beginning to really hit her, this was actually happening and not just a dream. Carrington grabbed ahold of her shoulders, shaking her. "Veronica." She snapped out of it and looked at him, her breathing slowing. " are you sure you wanna do this?"

She stopped and thought, did she really want to do this? I mean yeah she needed the money but was risking her life really all that worth it? But her thoughts drifted to her mom and how she's been working herself to death for almost a year. She had to do this, so she could get her family out of this town and away from the terrible memories.

" I have too." Before Carrington could answer Diggins spoke into his megaphone.

" May I have your attention!" The crowd all turned around to face him, as he stood on a small dock. Growing up Veronica never got to personally know Diggins, she's actually never even spoken to him before." Welcome to Panic!" They erupted into cheers, all excited to finally get this thing started and over with.

A boy Veronica didn't recognize handed them both a beer with a smile, though Veronica just held hers. She didn't think clouding her mind would be the best thing right now, anything could happen. " My name is Diggins, and this summer I will be your host with the most!"

Veronica decided right then and there she already loved him, his energy and enthusiasm soothed her in a way she couldn't explain. " This year the winner of Panic is gonna take home, the grand prize of $50,000" The whole crowd gasps, that's the highest it's ever been. Although I guess that's what you get for having Ray Hall collect the money.

Veronica looks over at Carrington whose mouth was agape, her smile spread from ear to ear. That money could literally change her family's life. She could leave her mother and brother with most of it and use the rest to get into a good college or travel the world, which she's dreamed of since she was a little girl.

Diggins went on explaining the rules, and introducing the challenge. He extended his hand behind him dramatically to the wall of rocks. "The first challenge is the Jump!"

Her breath caught in her throat, heights was one of her biggest fears. She figured that much out when her and Carrington snuck up onto the water tower, well change that to almost. She couldn't even make it halfway up the ladder.

Carrington squeezed her hand and gave her a comforting smile, it was enough to calm her for the moment but she knew as soon as she made that tread up the rocky hill she'd lose it.

As Diggins explained how to properly jump, Veronica shook the nerves from her hands.

"Let the games begin!" The crowd erupted into roars again as everyone crowded Summer to get their numbers.

Veronica slid off her cropped button up and jean shorts handing them to her best friend. She sighed before making her way to Summer. Ray Hall of course was first, shoving his way to the front of the table. Veronica somehow managed to get behind him, she didn't mean to and she certainly didn't want to but before she could move summer reached for her hand and wrote the number two. " Grab a flare."

Veronica nodded, lighting the flare and made her way up the hill. Was she really doing this? She kept asking herself over and over, she refused to look anywhere but at the ground in front of her. She had no other choice. Right? Yes, that's it she had no other choice. Her hands shook as she got closer to the drop off, she heard Ray shouting and then the splash but she couldn't bother herself to pay him any attention.

Every thought possible crossed her mind, what if the water was to shallow? What if she didn't jump far enough and landed on the rocks? What if she slipped and hit her head? But she quickly shook them away and continued her tread up the hill.

Her breathing hitched as she reached the jump, her shaking worsening. " Contestant number two, state your name." Veronica went to speak but nothing came out, her mouth became dry all of a sudden. Her heart pounding against her ribs, her ears ringing.

How could Ray have done this so effortlessly? From what she heard he didn't struggle even the tiniest bit. He seemed almost happy to do it, how could he be so fearless?

"Contestant two, we don't have all night." Diggins stated into his megaphone. Veronica took a deep breath composing her emotions.

"Veronica O'Brien." The crowd erupted in cheers of encouragement. But Veronica could only think of one thing, her father. Him lying on that hospital bed, her hand holding his as he took his last breaths and watching her mother crumble to the floor as she walked in the room.

She had to do this, for her family. " For you Daddy."

Without thinking she launched herself off the cliff, the last thing she heard before hitting the water was Carringtons cheers. " That's my best friend!"