Cliff

This is a short story I wrote after going on an outing on high terrain. Hope everyone likes it!

Cliff
My name is Harriet Calber. I don't like heights. Especially not mountains. I'm on a "family outing." Mom and Dad say they're good for me, but I disagree. I'm that quiet type who, while everyone splashes in the pool, I sit in a corner reading my book. At the moment I'm looking out the window at that looming mountain, not too big, but big enough. Dad turns onto the side road that leads to it. No way out now. What am I going to do? Well, I tie up my messy black hair, pick up my book, and pry my eyes from the rising slope.

"Harriet, look at that marvelous view! Isn't it wonderful?"
I looked up at Mom. "Is it really?" I grumbled, and looked out despite myself. Stomach drop time. The whole countryside was spread out like a patchwork quilt, the kind a pioneer would use. The cliff edge was just a little ways away from the tire, with rocks spread down the side. Shivering, I turned away as the mental images of tumbling cars came in. "What's so great about it?" I muttered.
"You can see everything. That's what's so great." Mom turned back to her view from the front seat. I'm amazed that my parents don't so much as think about the fact that we could slip over that rocky edge any second.
"Ah, here we are!" Dad turned sharply onto a road that led into the trees. "Da-ad!" I yelped, clinging to my seat.
"Sorry, sorry!" He cried, driving slowly.
He parked the car by a clearing with a few picnic tables. Mom had made a lunch with chicken salad sandwiches, deviled eggs, and muffins. We ate slowly, Mum and Dad chatting about the scenery and wildlife. I stayed quiet, just eating. Like I said, I'm not the talkative type.

"So, what do you say we check out that road over there? Looks fun." Dad was grinning. We had our late lunch and it was nearly sunset. I looked at the road. It was rocky and looked like people didn't use it often; not my definition of "fun." The trees grew closely and I didn't think our minivan would even fit.
"You're kidding, right?"
"Of course I'm not!"
"Seriously?"
"Yeah! C'mon!"
Dad tugged me over to the car. I squirmed in his grip, but my dad is a strong guy. He shoved me playfully into the back seat and went around to the front. Mom was in adventure mood; she hopped in the car and smiled expectantly at the road. Great. Just great.
The engine started up. Slowly. Is it as afraid as I am? Dad pulled onto the track and started driving, a little too fast for my liking. "Dad. Slow down." I growled. He simply laughed and speeded a little. "What? You afraid of driving like a normal person?"
Yes. My parents are idiots. I accept that.
Suddenly the forest disappeared. A cliff. A cliff! We were heading straight for it. The tires left the ground. Mom screamed. Dad swore. I didn't do anything. Just looked at the ground beneath me. As it disappeared, became air.
I muttered, "Crud," before the minivan hit the rocks, and the world disappeared forever.


Sad, I know. Just felt like writing something like that. Please comment!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

It's Official! July 21st, 2007. I still find it hard to believe that the title is Deathly Hallows. But I guess there's no turning back for Jo now! And here's my list of links with pages about it. Can't wait for summer! Off to go search Ebay for time machines.
J. K. Rowling's Home Page
Mugglenet
Deathly Hallows Article