* * *
Roughly two hours later, Felicia stepped off the bus and walked toward the towering, eight-storied, hexagonal building that announced itself as the Wild As Can Be Amusement Park in flashing, neon-lighted, looping letters. There was only one family to be seen, making their way through the wide-open door into the spacious atrium with endless lines of ticket booths.
She craned her neck to stare at the imposing, if not intimidating, façade, then scanned the many-armed signboard next to the arched entrance that advertised—among other spectacles—an indoor swimming pool with an artificial waterfall, a Kiddies Corner, the Wild West Saloon with shooting competitions, rodeo and stage performances, and a hall for rock climbing.
Joshua’s tall figure unglued itself from the wall and met her in front of the entrance. He was dressed in sneakers, black jeans and a plain, purple T-shirt molded to his fit torso. She had opted for camouflage khakis and a canary-yellow V-neck T-shirt, equally molded to her body, and accompanied by a yellow hairband to tame her curly mane.
They smiled at each other, happiness at doing something together and daring something new bubbling inside them. She could hardly contain her excitement, not feeling the least bit guilty for having called her boss at the library with the pretense of having an upset stomach and needing to stay in bed.
How would her first—sort of—date with Joshua go? Would she be able to control her fire during whatever adventure he had planned?
Instead of accompanying her through the entrance, he led her around the building to the back. In the shade of the stately façade, there was a wide, open ground, fenced in by electric wire and sporting its own entrance with three ticket booths. One boasted a signboard saying “Dog Park”, the other called for people to enjoy a round of paintball, and the third one had only two huge words screaming for attention: Bungee Jumping. It was to this last one that Joshua strode. She gasped, and her feet drew her to a sudden stop as if they wanted to root her to safe ground.
“You’re not seriously thinking I’ll try bungee jumping?”
She hated that her voice was a high squeak of terror, because truth be told, two side were warring inside her. One was terrified and wanted to run away, the other was bouncing up and down like a child before it was allowed to open its birthday presents, excitement making her lightheaded and causing the fire dragon to stomp its clawed feet.
He turned to her, a grin on his handsome face, and a taunting look in his sky-blue eyes, one eyebrow raised cockily.
“You’re not seriously thinking of chickening out of the challenge?”
His tone was playful, but he grew serious when she didn’t answer.
“It’s awesome, believe me. There’s hardly a more exhilarating and liberating feeling than the one you get while bungee jumping. I should know, I’ve done it uncountable times and I still love it. I’ve tried out 15 of the 17 highest bungee jumps in the US. They’ve all been a blast and an experience I’ll never forget—from Mount Hood Adventure Park in Oregon and the Sierra Nevada Mountains Bridge in California over the Rio Grande Bridge in New Mexico and the High Steel Bridge in Washington to my favorite, the Jump from the Redwood Forest Trees. Of course there are also the tamer ones from lower heights, even smack in the middle of cities, which are enough for a good-sized adrenaline rush lasting at least a day.”
Felicia hung on his lips, soaking up every word to let his enthusiasm infect her. More than what he said, his facial expression mesmerized her. He looked almost as animated as when talking about his magic, and happier, younger and more relaxed than usual. It was almost as if he had lost his cares and the responsibilities he had loaded upon his shoulders, as if he was willing to be a bit less in control. If bungee jumping did that to this man of ice, what on earth would it do to the woman of fire?
A slight tremble seized her body, and she couldn’t say whether it was from being nervous or from anticipation.
“Let’s do it!” she croaked, her voice no more than a whisper, her throat dry as a desert.
He walked two steps closer and took her face into his icy hands, the gesture so startlingly tender that her heart was thudding irregularly in her chest. Tilting her face up, he leaned close and stared deep into her eyes.
“This is your chance to experience a thrill without fire magic. Your chance to learn a lesson about keeping your gift locked inside while living life to the fullest. Completely switch off your mind, and let the situation take over. Enjoy every single second of it, and store the energy and joy and power for whenever you might need it.”
He emphasized the importance of it with a hard kiss tinged with feeling.
“Don’t be afraid. You’re such a strong person, so full of temperament and spirit and hunger for more. You’ll love it. And so will your dragon. Your fire will remain safely locked inside you, and it will double the fun.”
She could only nod. It was all too much, but suddenly she wanted nothing more than to go through with it and experience what he had evoked so convincingly. It was time to trust him and herself, wasn’t it?
Ten minutes and more than 40$ each later, they stood at the top of the crane-like, metal-grid tower constructed for the jumps. From about 75 feet up, the world looked small. She had a stunning view of the seemingly far-away city to one side, while the ground and the amusement park building were reassuringly close on the other side.
Her pulse was hammering in her throat, and she kept swallowing convulsively, but oh, how she wanted this to happen!
Several feet to her right, Joshua was in position, harnessed in and radiating excitement. He’d jump first. Her instructor was tightening her harness and double-checking the bungee cord, all the while informing her of what she’d have to do, and stressing how safe everything was. At the entrance, they had filled and signed a health questionnaire form, as well as removed all jewelry and pocket contents to be stored in a locker. After stepping on a scale and having their weight written down in red pen on the back of their hands, they had climbed up the tower with their instructors, who had calculated the length of their bungee ropes. The staff in their blue uniforms and with their reassuring, calm and professional attitude had tied their feet together and wrapped them tightly in towel-like padding, before securing elastic bands to them, which were connected to the bungee cords. They had helped them into the safety gear, and prepped them on what would happen next.
By the time Joshua’s countdown was on, Felicia felt the adrenaline pump through her veins alongside liquid fire, hoping fiercely that she wouldn’t start glowing or giving off so much heat that it could hinder her jump or threaten her safety. She remembered his advice, and she switched off her thoughts. It was astonishingly easy; she just had to concentrate on him, and to repeat silently to herself that she was next, and would make the most of it.
With a whoop of delight that echoed around them, Joshua launched himself off the jumping platform, the rope lengthening and tightening, his body bouncing and hanging head-down for what felt like eternities, until the crew lowered him down, and the ground staff swarmed in to untie his feet and remove his gear.
“It’s your turn now,” her instructor said. The young girl patted her shoulder, asked whether she was ready or had any last questions, informed her co-workers, and started the countdown. Her voice sounded muffled in Felicia’s ears. She could hear her ragged breath and pounding pulse more clearly. With one last glance at the ground where Joshua was waiting for her, she clenched her fists—and jumped.
She was falling through the air, falling and falling.
Gusts of wind whooshed by, and there was a long, high-pitched scream of terror mixed with thrill piercing her bubble of excitement. Was that her screaming? She didn’t know, she only knew that this was like nothing she had ever done or felt.
There was the slightest of jerks when her rope had played out fully, but the fall felt surprisingly smooth and long. The band stretched and slackened, and she bounced and swung a little from side to side like a puppet on a string, too caught up in the
moment to take in the view.
Before she knew it, she wasn’t screaming, but laughing breathlessly.
The long drop and sudden stop had cranked up the adrenaline, almost like the fire magic did, but without any effort or any loss of energy or the need to exercise control.
In slow motion, she felt them extend the rope and lower her onto the grass where her legs gave way, and the world felt oddly upside down.
She barely realized what was happening around her, her breath escaping in a gasp when Joshua ran to her and engulfed her in a tight hug, lifting her feet off the ground to spin her around.
And in that moment, laughing again and feeling deliciously dizzy, she realized one thing.
She loved him.
Chapter 14