CAUSE OF DEATH: Fall from Great Height

Cold.

Creeping up limbs, tearing through skin to seize at muscles, freezing them in place in forced solidity.

Don't let go. Don't let go.

Ripping. Arms pulled in two directions, flesh feeling as though it would pull apart like strands of shredded meat.

At one end, she held a life. And at the other, she held another life.

Her own life.

Could she give that up?

Pain. Pain through her head and heart. In tandem. Thump thump. Blood rushing through her brain, coursing through like a red hot fire, melting away the cold.

Ache. Too much pressure. Becoming slack. A choice had to be made. Just make the choice. Please make the choice.

A glance downwards; a fearful face – one which she had known since birth – clinging on for dear life. She was their chance at salvation. She was their lifeline. She had to make the choice. Tears welling behind cracked glasses, hair strewn across the face in the wind.

Make the choice. Make the choice.

A stare upwards; a silhouetted figure, masked and hidden. An unknown fate. An outstretched hand. Screams in the distance. She didn't know. She didn't know.

Make the choice. Make the damn choice.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry. I love you. I'm sorry.

Another scream. Human. Unforgiving. Filled with the ice that surrounded her on all sides. A plummeting figure vanishing into the snow beyond.

I'm so fucking sorry.

Gathering strength. Preparing to grab. Reach out for salvation. Reach out for hope. Push more. A little more. Reach out. Reach out for safety. Reach out for life.

Perishing cold. Grabbing like a hook to the back of a neck. Digging in. Icy tendrils. Pulling her down. A hand grasping all too slow. Too late. Too late.

Dragged down by the snow and the cold.

Time froze.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

Both gone.

Mistake. Mistake.

Betrayal. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me.

Snow falling quickly, a muffling blanket for her screams. Above, a blast of light against the night sky. The last sight. The ground was coming so quickly now, it was soon to be the end.

I'm so sorry.

I'm so fucking sorr-

Name of Deceased: Beth Washington

Cause of Death: Fall from great height. Severe injuries; broken spine, cracked skull and multiple breaks in arms and legs. Instantaneous death.