To Part

    Jackson and I stood face to face on the hovering metal platform, miles above the sprawling, treeless, titanium city.

    “S'pose this is sayonara,” Jackson said, extending his hand. "You'll be alright." The wind wound like serpents around our limbs and whipped our hair in a violent dance. I never thought it would end this way. He had saved me too many times, taught me too much.

    “Yeah,” I said, gripping his hand tightly, then releasing it. He took a step back and dropped away. Silence.

    The sun was setting now. I spread my iron wings and took to the sky.