The Accident

 "If you're tired, can we rest, or do you want Kyler to carry you?" I offered to Cleopatra who was walking beside me.

 "No need," he replied. "I haven't done anything like this in a long time. The last time… was a family hike when we were kids. Do you remember?"

 I was stunned. Silence is my response to his question. Of course, that family hike is still vividly recorded in my cerebrum. Like a cassette tape that is played over and over again until it sticks out.

 "Yes," I replied in a whisper. "I almost fell into the abyss."

 "And Mom saved you."

 Mom. What's that word? I haven't heard that word in a long time. Random images formed in my head, rotating periodically and stopping at a single memory, in which there was a recording of me nearly falling into the abyss and Mom holding out her hand for me, risking her own life to help me up.

 "Mommy, mommy I'm scared!"

 "Elsie, take Mom's hand! Come here, honey!"

 "Elsie?"