Drink!

I gulped as I looked at the wooden plank. Will this even be capable of supporting my weight?

The rope ladder swings, dancing along with the wind. Ethan was waiting for me below — looking at me, his both hands are on his waist.

Taking a deep breath — I reached for my splint and unclasped it. I hope I won't strain my shoulder for this.

Sigh! When it's just about to heal.

I checked my boots if they had something sticking on them that might hinder me. And before I might change my mind, I planted my right foot on the first wooden plank. I can feel my knees shaking.

"Don't look down. Don't look down." I kept on repeating it like a mantra.

Doing my best to keep my body centered between the side rails all while maintaining a three-point contact with my hands and feet. And I tell you, it's no easy feat! Not at all!

I continued on repeating that series of movements — stopping from time to time whenever the wind blew or when my shoulder would threaten to throb. I'd grit my teeth whenever that happen.

I don't know how long do I have to continue. I'm only focused on going down — step by step. Making sure not to make a mistake.

And just when I thought I was doing fine, a rather strong wind blew causing the rope ladder to sway. Exactly when I was about to step onto the next wooden plank — making me miss my footing.

In that split second, I reflexively tightened my grip. But because of the gravity and my unbalanced footing, the ladder tilted to one side and my other foot slipped.

I dangled as the rope shook angrily and winced as soon as the jolt of pain pounced my shoulder. My right arm had gone limp. It only took that one moment for me to completely let go of the ladder.

The world seems to spin around me in slow motion as I fell. Arms covering my head — my last puny attempt into staying alive desperately.

And I crashed onto the cold, hard bricks. Gritting my teeth as the pain made its way into my every limb like electricity.

But I'm still alive.

Ha! I don't know if I'm super lucky or it's the opposite.

"Are you okay?" someone suddenly asked — it was Ethan.

I glared at him. He said he was gonna catch me when I fall but he didn't!

"Oh! You're still alive. You're tougher than I thought," he muttered, amused. I wanna kill him.

"I told you, didn't I? It was safe. Though you probably wouldn't fall if only I held onto the end of the ladder," he said as he rummage his pocket that was so large that a loaf of bread can most probably fit in it. "Here, drink this." He then shoved a small bottle towards my face.

It was a green hexagonal cork bottle. Its content was a muddy liquid that swirls at the center like a whirlpool as if it had a life of its own.

But no matter how beautiful it looked, it only reminded me of a horrible memory. The poison bottle I saw the night I arrived here.

"It's a pain reliever. Trust me, it works like magic," Ethan reassured me and shoved the bottle into my face for the second time.

But how could I possibly trust him? Especially since he just broke his words?

I gave him a skeptical look but still haven't accepted it.

"Oh come on, Mr. Jack. You can't possibly be thinking I would poison you, are you? Also, don't forget we don't have the luxury to stay here forever." He reminded me.

Grudgingly, I attempted to sit but as soon as I did that, a wave of pain immediately assaulted my arms and my hips.

Sh*t! Did I break some of my bones?

Seeing this, Ethan clicked his tongue and came to assist me. I grimaced when he applied pressure to my shoulder.

Beads of sweat trickled down my forehead as I did my best to stop myself from screaming.

Pop!

He uncorked the bottle and the pungent smell wafted into our noses.

"Drink!" He ordered.

I hesitantly opened my mouth. I'm still against the idea of drinking it but if it can lessen this torturous pain even for a little, then —.

The liquid was warm and it tastes like sand. But as soon as I drank it all, the pain vanished almost instantly.

"What? Feeling better?" he asked in a sarcastic tone.

As much as I hated the idea of praising him — I nodded unwillingly. He grinned seeing that.

After assisting me to stand up, he suddenly became serious and said, "Mr. Jack, from hereon, don't be surprised with what you'll see."