Autumn inhaled the damp air deeply, shutting her eyes. The height was perfect. The drop was steep. The ground was far. The wind howled around her, causing both her and the board she stood on to sway. Her dark cheeks had a dim glow to them from the cold, but she didn’t mind. She had peace here as the storm above her brewed ever worse. Taking a deep breath, she tugged her thick sweatshirt over her head and let it flutter to the ground below. With blazing eyes she watched it sink into the foggy distance, and as she did so a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

It was time.

Like the birds who soared and swept her homelands, she extended her arms and drew her impressive array of dark, silken feathers to her. Her heart throbbed in her neck, beating on an urging rhythm in her ears. She drew a breath, pointed her toes, and-

“Autumn!”

Autumn turned, and she frowned to see Gaz. “What?” she spat. “Come to stop me?”

Gaz smiled, placing a foot on the wobbling board.“No,” he said.

“I’ve come to join you.”