“Best get you home lad, get some food inside you.” Tomas nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. He couldn’t be sure, but he could have sworn it was Sky, who else could it have been? But she didn’t look right. She looked distressed. No, not distressed, that was too mild a word. It looked more like blind panic.

2

The rocky ground extended for about ten feet, before coming to an abrupt end. The big, empty space invited him to discover what lay beyond. Tomas walked forward, eager to see what awaited him. Too eager as it turned out, and he had to check his pace as he reached the edge, quicker than expected. But it was worth it. It was as if he’d stepped out of a dark cell, after a long sentence. The vibrant colors, sounds and sheer expanse before him, flooded his senses, energizing his body. Far below, a glistening blue sea seemed to go on forever in all directions. The light of the two suns reflecting off its restless surface, resembled a million spear tips of a vast army, being raised to greet his arrival. Tomas stretched out his arms, threw back his head and laughed. The roar of the sea rose in approval. He felt so alive and free to do whatever he desired. Up here, he had no doubts - he was king of the world.

A swell of warm air rose up to meet him. With one step, he could soar free from the earth and up into the sky. His heart raced as he shuffled closer to the edge, preparing to take a leap of faith. A gull cried out below. He glanced down and saw the grubby white caps of his trainers, peeping over the edge, and then nothing but open air, for hundreds of meters. Birds flying in and out of the rock face far beneath, added to the sensation of height. Suddenly Tomas wasn’t so sure. A battle waged in his mind - before him power and immortality, behind, safety and anonymity. Somehow he managed to stay perched right on the edge, whilst the conflict raged.

A sudden chill in the breeze made him shiver. What the hell was he doing standing up here? His stomach churned. He froze, hanging between life and death. The sky no longer promised everlasting life, it welcomed his end. To his horror, he started to tip over. Frantically he waved his arms to prevent his fall. Time slowed. Sea replaced sky as he pitched forward. But just as he had accepted his fate, someone snatched him back from the brink. His rescuer spoke. “Not yet Tomas, we’re not ready.”