THE CHASM 

By Tessa Harvey


    Ariella walked along the path, Dylan following close behind. He had told her that this was a quick way home, but she was beginning to be anxious. The trees seemed to be hemming them in, closer and closer and she could see the sun was close to setting.
    They came to a clearing and Ari realised that on one side the land dropped sharply. She pressed close to the trees on the other side, suddenly afraid. "I want to go home,"  she whispered.
    The boy made a placatory gesture with one hand, reaching for her with the other. "Look," he said, "let's crawl to the edge together. It's awesome looking down. Then we'll go. Promise!" "Alright," she replied. Carefully, they crawled near the edge.  It  was a deep - very deep chasm.
    Despite herself, Ariella was amazed by the beauty. Red cliffs went down and down. Below there were treetops and a thread of silver, a river.
    "Look," Dylan said, again, "you know I want to enter the school photo competition? Well, if you move away from the edge, could I take a photo of you with the setting sun behind?" The girl hesitated. Suddenly she became angry. "It isn't a short cut!" she cried, "you just wanted a photo and now I be late and be in trouble.?
    She looked up at him and saw his sadness. "Alright," she said again, "but then you come home with me and explain. That's fair."
    Quickly he agreed. They edged away from the drop and he drew back against the trees, the sun was splendid. It would be a great photo!


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