Ramsey grabs on to my left shoulder. “Alright! I’m on!”

I turn to look at Maka and, with a smile, say, “Maka! Grab on! And don’t let go!”

Maka quickly nods his head and grabs onto my right shoulder. “Umm… I’m ready.”

I smile as I look ahead. “Just breathe.”

My father once told me that when faced with death, just breathe. Then a whole world of opportunities will open up. As I inhale, and then exhale, my mind becomes focused. It’s almost like time is slowing down and I can see a clear path to safety. “Hold on tight, guys! This is about to get crazy!”

“Fukai, what the hell do you mean by crazy?!” Ramsey hits me upside the head. “Don’t do anything stupid! Fukai! Talk to me!”

“I knew it! I knew it! …Hanging out with you guys was the worst mistake I’ve ever made!” Maka shouts while holding on tight.

“Here we gooo!” I say, switching from a slide to a sprint towards the stone wall with the giant tree closing in right behind us. “This may be a little rough!” I jump at the stone wall and begin to run straight up its surface as soon as my feet make contact. “Alright!”

Maka glances below us only to see the giant tree about to make an impact, “It’s going to break! I just know it!!”

The giant tree crashes into the stone wall, causing a massive, echoing sound.

*Crash*

-----*Crash*

*Crash*-----*Crash*

“Faster! Faster! Faster!” Maka begins to shake me.

“Hey! What the hell are you thinking, Fukai?!” Ramsey shouts while looking below us.

“It’s time to do this!” I smile. “Yahoo!” I begin to backflip off the giant stonewall the second after the giant tree collides with it. “It’s all about timing!” The impact causes the surrounding area to shake. As the giant tree begins to roll upwards. “Damn, that’s some serious momentum!” I say as I safely land on the giant tree and begin running, keeping up with the rotation. “This is awesome! I can’t wait to see what happens next!”

“Like hell! You need to shut up! And focus!” Ramsey shouts at me in anger. “And besides, this is all your fault in the first place!”

“Oh really?” I say, a little confused.

“Oh really?” Ramsey mocks me. “Don’t play dumb with me! You’re the one who suggested we skip classes! To go on some graaand adventure!” Ramsey looks at me, deadpan. “But what I didn’t realize was that going on a grand adventure would lead to death!” Ramsey rubs his face frantically out of frustration. “…Why do I ever listen to you?!”

I look over at Maka for confirmation. “Ma-Ma-Maka, do you feel the same way?” I look closely at him. “Maka?” Maka is foaming at the mouth, and sleeping with his eyes rolled into the back of his head. “Hmmm… Hey, Maka, this isn’t the time for a nap.”

“Are you a complete idiot?! He is obviously not sleeping! He’s completely knocked out from the trauma of this stressful situation!” Ramsey shouts in frustration.

“Oh, really?” I look over at Maka again. “Are you sure?”

“Am I sure? Yes! I’m sure! …Are you acting stupid on pur-!” Ramsey shouts.

“Hold that thought, Ramsey! Here we gooo!” At the highest peak of the giant tree’s rolling bounce I began to jump over to the top of the stone wall. “Alright! …We can totally make this!” I say, right as I realize I jumped too hard.