Salt and Descent

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The breeze was there, but barely. A soft whisper of wind tracing along my neck, the cold lingering just enough to bite. The fog had dissipated from earlier in the day, unveiling the rocky cliffside. The moon shone from above, the glow glistening off the damp rocks. The humidity hung in the air, clinging to my skin, hot and heavy. The cliffside was yawning, big and undeniable. Layer after layer of hard, unyielding strength. I came to the edge of the wall, the smell wafting from the rocks and clouding my senses. An intoxicating earthy musk. Tenderly I reached my hand out, feeling the rigid surface as my hands molded around the jagged edges. Where each rock broke, another one began, crafted together into what could only be described as an impossible feat of nature. The ocean lapped along the shoreline, each wave a cry of desperation. The water licked at the base of the cliff, as if reaching out to taste the structure. I could feel the salt coat my hands from the damp rocks, a mark as if the ocean were claiming ownership of the cliffside. Each crash of waves straining to consume more. The rhythmic thrust of water against the rocks fell into a soothing familiarity. The night held its breath; only water and stone remained. Careful to not utter a sound so as not to ruin the dance of nature. I gripped along the wall, heaving my body upwards as I began to climb. Not really sure why or how, only knowing that it was impossible to come down as I continued to rise. The hard planes of the cliff dug into her hands, the sting of pain fueling my fire to reach the top. It was like nature itself beckoned me towards the peak. I moved faster, racing to the finish that was in eyes reach. My body was practically floating now, lost all control to slow the climb. As my hand reached the top, my fingers failed to tighten around a ledge. Slipping against the wet rock, my body fell backwards crashing back down towards the ground. I called out, the scream sharp and fresh as the air left my lungs. I crashed back down. The shock of the cold washed over me as water rushed into my mouth. The taste of salt stung through the fog of the fall rattling inside me. I heaved myself from the ocean, crashing back down to the rocky shore. Now cold and exhausted, I let the night return to its silence, looking up and simply admiring the cliff before me. The beauty of nature.