Throwback Thursday: Falling by AY Dorsey

Over the Edge

As we launch our Spring 2025 issue, here’s a glimpse back to ‘Falling’ by AY Dorsey from our first spring of publication, Issue 2, Spring 2014.  This issue is out of print and the limited editions sell for $20, but we’re releasing a handful of back issues at the throwback price of only $8. Hurry and grab yours before they’re gone!

Falling

AY Dorsey

One thought ruled: hold the kayak steady or she was dead.  

The boom of the falls surged through Lara’s mind.  Exhilaration thrummed her blood, beat in her neck and tingling muscles, pulsed in her taut-knuckles clenched around the paddle’s thin wood.  She had to score a boof landing, smack down flat bottomed.  The pool below was shallow, so no turning in the air.  No pencil entry.  No mistakes.  Just complete and absolute control.  

She could do it.  She was ready.

The river’s edge dropped in front of her.  Lara glanced for Paul and didn’t see him on the bank below.  But she knew he’d be there.  He was always there.  

She sliced over the brink and flew for a split second, then dropped straight down.  Upright.  Balanced.  Perfect.

Until halfway down.  The kayak tipped to the right.  Lara counterbalanced – and that’s when she saw the water formation falling beside her, looking firm, glowing with life.  Sharp edges and corners where corners ought not to be.  Spinning.  

Time became sluggish.  Water floated around her in chaos, smaller drops drifting away to oblivion.  But no drops separated from this living liquid thing.  

She reached and it scalded her fingers.  

Lara jerked away; the kayak spun.  She looked down to see how much air she had left, and sliced into the pool.  

Water smacked her body like a thousand fists.  The spear of her kayak struck a rock full force and pain crushed Lara’s lower spine.  She screamed as the kayak flipped upside down; oxygen gushed from her mouth.  

Paul.  Where was Paul? She needed him now!

Her helmet struck another rock.  Both eyes felt like they’d exploded.  Dazed, she jerked on the kayak skirt.  How had she gotten so weak? 

Air! 

She tried pushing her way out of her kayak but her leg was pinned.  Her paddle could right her.  Where was it?  Hidden in froth and raging water.  

Her helmet smacked against another rock, jerked her head back, and agony shot through her skull.  She opened her mouth to scream again, to call Paul, but nothing came out.  

Then something latched onto her arm.  Thank god.  

Her first breaths were heaven, her next, pure shame.  Paul had said she was crazy for trying this stunt, and he’d been right.  Which meant she was wrong.  

The prismatic shape she’d seen in the falls lit up her mind.  Maybe not so wrong after all. 

Find out what happens next in Pulp Literature Issue 2, Spring 2014, on sale now till the end of May!