Beth scoffed. "We would see about that." She murmured, crossing her arms. She had made up her mind and she would make certain of it. If marriage was formed on alliances and what to gain without a care for the parties involved, or how hurt they would be, then it was best not to be involved in it altogether. If a contract had not been drawn, Gwen wouldn't be hurting.
"Yes, we would." He pulled her along as he walked closer to the other side of the hill which was said to be steeper and more dangerous. "Enough of your nonsense, it is your birthday and you will enjoy it." She smiled. "We would watch the sunrise, climb back down, get scolded by mother," she couldn't help but to laugh, "And you would make us a sumptuous breakfast." He turned her to himself, placed his hands on her shoulders and continued. "Then when the day is done, we would all sit at the table – a fine dinner set before us with a nice conversation going. What do you think?"
She smiled again and coyly said. "I love it."
They stood side-by-side and watched, waiting for the sun to rise. Its glow began to feel the faraway sky and Beth's face brightened too.
And then it happened.
The grass on which she stood on slipped her off the hill. In her shock and horror, Beth let out a fearful cry reached out blindly as she fell off. Eric grabbed her and tried to pull back but the wet grass wouldn't comply – he slipped too and landed on his knees. He hissed painfully but held unto her. "Eric! Eric!! Don't let go. Please don't let go." Her plea resounded on the hill.
"I won't. I won't." He was slipping too, she could see it; she could feel it. And as though on cue, Eric fell off the edge along with her. Beth screamed, grabbing unto him with her other hand, tightening her grip. Eric grunted but didn't let go, he held her with one hand and with the other, somehow found something to hold onto.
Scared, she called out. "Help! Help!!"
They slipped further. "Stop yelling! You would only make it worse."
Oh, good gracious! The tears gathered, slowly impairing her vision. They were going to die! They would surely die! "I don't want to die, Eric. Don't let us die." She cried out to her brother.
His breathing became heavier with the passing moments. He was in pain, she could tell. "I won't. You are not dying here, I promise." They dropped again and fell further down. He was losing his grip on whatever it was he held unto. Beth screamed again and burst out crying. The tears wouldn't stop. Then she heard him through ragged breathing. "Try to place your feet on a ledge." She made no movement. "Find one; fix your foot, one before the other."