Into Nothing

Steve checked over his equipment meticulously as the large aircraft rose into the bright blue sky. He hummed to himself, the sound indecipherable beneath the roar of the engines, as he strapped his pack into place. Steve snapped the harness into place and tugged on the straps to tighten it in place.

He glanced at his watch, reaffirming the time and took a deep breath as he stepped to the bay door. The wind snatched at his clothes, ghostly fingers plucking at his jumpsuit, as he stood on the thin metal surface beneath him.

Steve felt his watch vibrate. He slid his goggles into place and his eyes slid closed as he stepped out into nothing.

Steve knew by instinct when he should open his eyes to watch the ground approaching. He felt a release inside him that only a free fall could give him. A sense of absolute freedom even as he felt the ground rushing towards him.

Steve opened his eyes and positioned his body. He pulled on the rip chord that would activate his chute and slow his decent. Steve idly watched the ground drift towards him, bracing himself for touchdown. He pulled on the chords that would flair his chute and he met the ground as gently as if a feather was falling.