Evan’s heart pounded as he watched Thomas struggle for balance, his arms flailing. With a sharp cry, Thomas slipped, his body tipping backward over the rail. His hands shot out, gripping the cold metal with desperate strength as his legs dangled over the void.

“Evan!” Thomas shouted, his voice laced with panic. “Pull me up!”

 

​

Tick-tock, the iron sways,

Dripping cold in twilight’s haze.

Grasp the rail or let it go,

Down, down, the river’s flow.

 

Step by step, the choice draws near,

Thunder cracks to drown the fear.

Eyes like daggers, hearts in bind,

Shadows whisper, “Choose in kind.”

 

Tick-tock, the echoes hum,

“Will mercy speak, or vengeance come?”

A hand outstretched, the storm’s cruel jest,

Lightning burns what lies suppressed.

 

A wicked grin, words so vile,

The river waits a little while.

Should it feast or be denied?

The bridge will judge where fates collide.

 

Tick-tock, a breath, a scream,

A choice to sever or redeem.

Rain-soaked rail and battered soul,

Who will pay the final toll?

​

Teeter, teeter, on the ledge,

Life and death a trembling pledge.

Will you save it, or let it fall?

The river knows, and it takes all.

 

Tick-tock, the shadows creep,

Whispers rise where secrets sleep.

Hands that clutch, a grip so tight,

Bound by rain and fractured light.

 

Closer, closer, the ledge does call,

The edge of darkness consumes them all.

One must fall, the choice is clear,

Mercy bends to spite and fear.

 

Drip-drop, the storm’s refrain,

A haunting hymn of loss and pain.

Eyes of malice, breath so cold,

The river waits for tales untold.

 

Fingers slip, a scream takes flight,

Boundless black devours the night.

Steel and thunder, hearts collide,

Who will claim the final ride?

 

Step by step, the bridge decides,

Life in shreds where guilt resides.

Will the hand save or betray?

Mercy prevails not where demons play.

​

Tick-tock, the storm gives pause,

Truth is bound in broken laws.

Reach or release, the void will see,

At the edge of darkness, none walk free.

​

 

Evan hesitated, his chest heaving as he stared down at the man who had tormented him, threatened him, and tried to destroy everything he held dear. The temptation to let go, to end it all, was a dark whisper in his mind.

​

© 2024-2025 Matthew O. Haylett