Light Em Up Pt. 2

[A/N: Chapter soundtrack: Fall Out Boy - My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark]

                                 ***

With the wind roaring in his ears, Aybel clung to his makeshift parachute - his jacket.

His gaze shifted to his right, where he could spot Caine holding on to his own makeshift parachute - his hoodie.

A wave of cold air hit his face as the draft picked up, making it even more difficult to see the other boy.

Aybel sighed focusing straight ahead as he clutched the cloth in his hands even tighter.

"Hey, Aybel, you alright? You haven't said anything in a while, and that tends to be a bad sign. Did something happen while I was looking away?" Caine asked, his voice cutting through the air.

He's worried about me. Interesting... But the truth is, we're both in the same boat. Nobody has an advantage here.

"I'm fine. Just focus on holding on."

I suppose it's always nice to have someone looking out for you. But it feels a little strange knowing I definitely wouldn't do the same for him.

He should know this by now. I haven't exactly paid much attention to his own struggles.

"Well, since you didn't ask, my arms are growing numb from being stretched out for so long, but aside from that I'm A-OK! For now..."

"Why would I ask? Are you scared?"

"Tsk, you're too quick to jump to that conclusion, dear brother. Of course I'm not scared. I'm just annoyed. Why is this damn wind so powerful?" 

Irritated, Caine kicked at the air as if trying to fight it, but his movements proved only futile.

He's right though, the wind is certainly not helping matters, and I can't really fault him for being annoyed. But, it's also our saving grace. And it hasn't ripped my jacket from my grip yet, so I consider that a plus.

As the next pulse of light illuminated the space, Aybel barked out a command:

"The western pillars."

Sensing this, they both tilted their bodies swaying in the air.

With the light still shining for just a few more seconds, Aybel took a good look around the area, making sure that they were both heading in a good direction.

Thankfully, my earlier assumption was correct, we're on track.

Ting-ting!

Hmm? A smartphone?

Aybel glanced over at Caine to see if he'd heard the sudden sound as well, but with furrowed brows and eyes following a path, he still seemed focused on guiding himself with the air currents.

"Hey, Caine, do you have anything in your pockets?"

That was what Aybel tried to say, but the sound was instantly swallowed up by the gale-force winds.

Huh. That's a weird sound. I couldn't quite place it, maybe it was coming from some distant location. It sounds familiar though.

I was even about to reach for my own phone, until I remembered my hands were busy and I don't plan to die from making an amateur move like that to only find out I don't have my phone on me.

Refocusing on the task at hand, Aybel felt another pulse of light growing from the chandelier, sending warmth across his chest as it got closer and closer to their location.

He looked back at Caine.

He's still hanging on, but the fabric is beginning to stretch. I'm not doing so much better, am I?

Aybel glanced over at his own makeshift parachute, making sure it was still secure, but one look at his hands made him worry.

Crap, my knuckles... they're starting to pale from a lack of circulation.

Shifting his hold on the cloth, Aybel tried to get a better grip.

This is harder to maintain than I thought it would be. Fortunately... we're close enough now that the wind is only a minor annoyance. However...

Squinting at the light from the chandelier which was now right in front of them, Aybel found it hard to see anything, let alone make out Caine and his hoodie.

"Heavens below! Have mercy! I'm BLIND!"

At least I can hear him, needless to say, he's doing fine.

"Brother, please... We must act now!"

"Alright, alright. Calm down. I can barely hear you over your wailing."

Aybel let go of his jacket, looking beside him only to see his companion clutching his own fabric to his chest like a security blanket.

"...Are you scared?"

"I'm not scared of anything! Well, aside from the dark, the wind, and the chandelier that is quickly approaching my face. What kind of question even is that?! You really think I'd admit it if I actually was?"

"Good point."

"Yes, yes. I'm not a coward." Caine said as he calmed his breath. "Okay, brother, let's give this another go. Who jumps? You or me?"

Aybel's mind wandered to a couple of minutes ago:

                              ***

"Have you ever played leapfrog?"

"Leap what?"

"Well it's just a name, what it actually is is a game. A leapfrog is basically something like this: One person crouches down and the other person uses them as a springboard to jump over them, and then they switch places."

"I see... I don't think I've ever played leap frog before, it sounds fun! Alright. So we'll need to jump on each other. Hmm..." Caine paused to give the idea some extra thought.

"...But I see one problem in what you're talking about: If we're going to use each other as stepping stones, that means that one of us is bound to be left behind on the first jump..."

"Indeed. You're right. One of us is bound to be left behind... But that isn't necessarily a bad thing. That person can simply hang on for some time and eventually be grabbed by the other when they pass by."

"Aha~ But if one of us is stepping on the other, then who will be stepping on whom?" Caine asked with a grin.

Aybel shrugged his shoulders.

"I have no idea. For now, let's get on with it and work out the details later."

                               ***

A matter that requires trust... Aybel thought to himself, quietly observing Caine as he struggled with his hoodie.

"Damn, how did I get this on in the first place?? Brother... I can feel your mocking gaze upon me~"

"You can go ahead," said Aybel.

"Huh?" Caine remarked as he managed to put on the hoodie. "Wait... you're not going to jump?"

"Certainly not."

In the air, Aybel quickly spun around, flipping himself over so that he now lay on his back, facing Caine.

"Hmm... but wouldn't you be the better one to step on me as you have a rather lighter build?"

"Of course, I would like to take the lead if I can. But..."

Aybel glanced at the chandelier, it was getting closer with each passing second.

"...I don't see the point in arguing about this. Like I said before, we have limited options here and you already seem agile enough as it is."

"...Very well then, I won't hold you up." he replied, taking a deep breath as he grabbed Aybel's outstretched arms, planting his feet firmly on the boy's chest.

Aybel could feel the increasing weight on his ribs as he steadied himself.

Nearing the final stretch, the chandelier's light began to dim into darkness, signaling the start of another pulse.

"Alright… here comes the hard part!" Caine called out, ready to jump. "Brother, on your mark."

"...Mark," Aybel responded in turn.

"I'm coming, Chandelier of the Devil!"

With explosive speed, Aybel gripped Caine's hands, planted his own feet on Caine's chest, and flipped himself upside down.

In a matter of seconds, Aybel found himself now facing the chandelier below as the light reached its apex.

Hm???

He felt a sudden jolt from behind...

Looking back he saw Caine clinging to his ankle, grinning that infamous grin of his.

His eyes opened wider as he realized what the other boy was about to do.

To Be Continued...