Read Online Powerslide by Jeff Ross - Free Book Online

from my wipeout. My knee hurt, too, although it wasn’t broken, probably only bruised. I was still hobbling, but I could run and jump across to the tree. I hoped.
    â€œI have to try,” I said. I was about to start running when Jack put his arm out in front of me.
    â€œWait,” he said.
    â€œWhat?”
    He pointed to a different tree. “That one is closer. And there aren’t as many branches.”
    I looked where he was pointing. He was right. The other tree was a better option. Plus the trunk looked thicker. I walked toward the edge.
    â€œLet me go first,” Jack said.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou’re right. I got you into this. Both of you.” He brushed past me and lined himself up with the tree. “Plus, you’re hurt.”
    Before I could say anything, he leaned forward and, in one swift motion, ran to the edge of the road and jumped. He flew through the air, his arms outstretched before him, and disappeared into the branches of the tree.

chapter fourteen
    â€œYou all right?” I yelled. He didn’t say anything. “Jack!”
    â€œYeah, yeah, I’m all right. Just got the wind knocked out of me.”
    I squinted into the darkness. I could just barely make out his form clinging to the trunk of the tree.
    â€œIt’s not that bad,” Jack said. “But you have to be ready for it. I’ll yell when I get to the bottom.”
    â€œAll right.” Branches snapped as Jack climbed down the tree. I felt as if I was standing alone at the edge of the world. “You down yet, Jack?” I yelled. There was no response and my heart started to beat faster. “Jack!”
    â€œYeah, yeah,” he said. “The branches at the bottom of this tree are thick. Come down slowly. The jump isn’t that far. You’ll be able to make it.”
    â€œOkay,” I said. “Look out. I’m going to throw my board down.” I heaved the board over and listened to it breaking branches the whole way down. I hoped it wouldn’t land on Goat. I leaned forward and ran, jumping at the last possible moment.
    It was exhilarating, leaping through the air, but painful when I hit the tree. I wrapped my arms around the trunk and tried to catch my breath.
    â€œYou okay?” Jack yelled.
    â€œYeah,” I said. I placed my foot on the first branch I could reach. I shifted over, put my other foot on a branch. The branch creaked and groaned, but it held. I looked down and all I could see was darkness.
    â€œYou see Goat anywhere?” I said.
    â€œI’m waiting for you,” Jack said. “It’s really dark down here.”
    I shifted down another couple of branches and felt as if I was entering another world. “You see my board?” I asked, wanting to hear Jack’s voice again.
    â€œYeah. Yeah, I got it right here.”
    I slid down a few more branches. One smacked against my face, and I checked to see if I had been cut. I felt the gash on my forehead and pulled my hand back to find blood on my fingers. “Crap,” I said.
    â€œWhat?” Jack’s voice sounded closer, but I still couldn’t tell how far away the ground was.
    I slid down another couple of branches. “Nothing. I just cut myself.” I put my foot on the next branch and heard a snap. A moment later I was free-falling. I landed on the ground, a tangle of arms and legs.
    â€œCasey, are you okay?” Jack asked.
    I nodded and tried to roll over. I had only fallen a couple of feet, but I had landed weirdly. I gasped for air, coughed a few times and inhaled. “Yeah,” I said. I got up on one knee. It was really dark down here. There were funnels of light from above where the trees thinned. It was quiet too. Very quiet.
    â€œWhich way should we go?” Jack asked.
    â€œJust a second,” I said. I worked at breathing properly again. Then I waited until my eyes adjusted to the darkness. Jack stood in front of me and ran