Little Ezra

The Community Theater stage had been transformed into a charming recreation of a London townhouse. In this setting two boys and a girl watched with delight as a forth child flew into the room on a nearly invisible wire harness, turning a neat somersault in the air before landing gracefully and posing with hands on hips to receive their applause.

In the audience, six men burst from their seats snapping pictures like a deranged pack of paparazzi, completely ignoring the annoyed reactions of their fellow patrons.

From the stage Ezra gave a quick grin, and then Peter Pan resumed his adventure.

OW (x3)

“Damnit, these guys don’t give up!” Vin exclaimed in frustration, watching their pursuers drawing closer.

Their own mounts had been lost during this desperate chase, one shot and the other driven to foundering. Without them, they were trapped.

“We’ll have to take a chance,” Ezra gasped, trying to catch his breath.

Following his gaze, Vin paled. “You don’t mean-“

“The waterfall,” he said grimly. “It’s the only way.”

“Are you crazy? We’ll die!”

“If we don’t try, we’re dead for certain.”

Setting his jaw, the tracker nodded. “Didn’t figure I’d like old age much anyhow.”

The gambler sighed. “I was rather looking forward to it myself. Shall we?”

Creeping closer to the precipice, they took a long look down. The sound of gunfire behind them broke their trance. Ezra offered his right hand. “It’s been a pleasure, my friend.”

Vin shook it firmly. “Likewise.”

Drawing a deep breath, the two lawmen jumped. The air rushed around them, fluttering their clothing and hair, the spray from the waterfall drenching them in an upward sweeping rainstorm. It was wonderful.

The flight ended with an abrupt shock of cold as their bodies sliced into the water, the near frozen mountain runoff stealing away any breaths they might have taken. Reflexively, both men flailed and fought, desperately trying not to let the water draw them under or crush them in its powerful grip.

As the journey reached its end, meeting the river hundreds of feet below their starting point, the two lawmen were bounced and flung like ragdolls, rushed away down the current.

Seconds later, both men surfaced, fighting with the last of their strength to reach the shore. Soon they lay, gasping, coughing and gritting their teeth against the pain of numerous injuries, but thankful beyond measure at being alive to feel them.