CHAPTER 1

It was hot, stinking hot, as sweat fell from her body.  A falcon screamed in the distance and for a moment broke her train of thought.  Cursing the unforgiving jagged rock she climbed further – hearing the rock fall as she placed a foot in the crevice to pull her worn body up another two feet.  The sun shone bright, giving her light brown hair golden highlights.  Longer the usual she had to keep pushing the hair out of her face.  The hot humid wind howled.  Her breath labored as she moved again, further up.  Fingers bloody from the jagged edges, her body slammed hard rock.  Unhooking the rope from her small waist, she hooked the end bracket into the hook just placed in the rock.  Feeling secure, she rested a minute to give her legs time to get the strength to continue.  Looking up, her dark brooding eyes locked on the plateau about 100 yards up. Alone, hungry and tired for a second she wished she were home.  Already three hours into her climb and she wondered how much longer.  She should have never attempted this climb by herself.  It has been quite awhile since she climbed.  However, the higher she climbed, the more thrilled she was to be back.  Every movement, filled with exhaustion, reminded her she wasn’t as young as when she first climbed this mountain.  Pulling her up, long lean muscles visible as she glided from one toe hold to another.  The plateau came closer and closer.  It seemed an eternity had passed by the time she swung herself over the side and lay flat on the plateau.  She didn’t move other than the rise and fall of her ample breasts with each gasp of air.  Her muscles fought against her as she began tried to relax.  Silence, except for the wind, gave her thoughts room to wander.  She must have laid there for thirty minutes just enjoying the rest and watching the billowy white clouds dance across an amazing blue sky.

            Standing up she shook her hands then arms then each leg, rolling her head from side to side until she felt satisfied all the kinks were gone. Walking to the edge, looking out over the countryside below… she felt powerful.  Whatever she wanted – she would have.  This was her world she thought as she stepped closer to the edge to watch a falcon flying.  She was as free as any bird, her foot slipped on loose rock. She arms reached out as if to grab something other than air.  The loose rock rolled under her boot and she was beginning to pitch forward.  Even in this moment, there was no fear in her face.  How could there be fear?  She always controlled everything in her life.  Why should this be any different?  Her foot was at the edge of the plateau.  She was trying to turn around – she had to see what she was leaving.  What had compelled her to make this climb?  Falling over the edge, she caught a glimpse of the light.  Bright and beautiful colors of red, yellow and green hews pulsating from an orb sitting on top of a singular column of stone.  Closing her eyes, body twisted, letting the light from the orb dance in the mind, she slipped beyond the ledge.  Still no fear, maybe a slight smile………as she fell.  

               Melissa bolted up in bed, breathing hard, and realizing it was just a dream.  Disgusted, she rolled back on her pillow; this same dream had been coming to her for the past five years.  At least once a month, sometimes more, always the same and yet each time it sent cool shivers through her body as if it was the first time she had the dream. She would never get any further than to see the light from the orb and she would always fall. She kept this dream, as she did most things, to herself. Rolling over, realizing she was not alone, she lay there quietly and thoughts of her life drifted through her head.