#18 Falling Saviour

by Daren Despot

The loud rapping of the riding harness’s shredded straps on the whistling wind was a lonely sound, and Cindy was scared. She clutched at the sky-ray’s back, trying to find handholds on the creature’s leathery hide. They were falling, and there was no one around to catch them.

The creature tried to maintain a swooping s-curve that would slow them down, but it knew that time was running out. It felt the fear building up in the little trembling human on its back, and it felt the weight of the situation. It saw the ocean below rushing closer and closer. The ray’s heart called out to the frigid water roiling below, knowing that if it hit the water it would survive, but . . .

The sky-ray’s heart clouded over as it turned a blind eye to the water’s brisk embrace. The ray banked halfway with its remaining wing, losing the last of its composure as waves of pain overcame it. Its wounds continued to leak blood and flesh into its slipstream as it headed for the cliff top. It hit the ground, grating and eroding away its underside as it banged down on the hard rocky surface. The last of its screams ripped from its throat as it skidded to a halt, leaving a trail of its own body behind.

In the end there was nothing left but a bloody tragedy, waiting to be picked over by the birds. In the center of the carnage, the girl was crying, safe and sound.



David rides motorcycles for a living, test driving amazing prototype racing machines. Life is good but when he re-unites with an ex-girlfriend that left him in pieces, he discovers he’s not totally over her. Feelings re-kindle—both old and new and there’s no way of escaping them.

Now he’s test driving a revolutionary new bike in a one of a kind tournament, against the bike designed by his ex, and ridden by the man that replaced him. Can he find a way to put the past to rest when all it wants to do is come back to haunt him?

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