To Dust and Ashes for Her

The wind rushed past, swiftly moving around them.

Ethan Montgomery, being much heavier than Avery Miller, fell faster and faster.

As he got closer, Avery, facing away from the wind, could clearly see his smile—a reckless, all-consuming grin that made Avery's heart ache painfully.

"You fool, you shouldn't have done this for me!"

"Avery, in this lifetime, we'll never be apart again," he declared as he grasped her hand, his joyful voice close to her ear.

Tears welled up in Avery's eyes as she looked at him silently for a long while.

"You shouldn't have jumped," she finally spoke. "You have so much more to live for, while I... I have nothing left. My life has reached a point of utter despair, with no way out, no reason to continue."

"But you're different, Ethan Montgomery. You will regret this!" she exclaimed.