The sky was darker than usual that night. There was no moon to light up the night, the only lights to go by were the old street lights that looked so elegant in the day, but did close to nothing at night. Even the stars were faint and flickering that night. A cold, swift wind flew through the air, cutting through the warmth of cosy jackets and jumpers. It flew through the hair of people that rushed back to their homes after late night strolls that had been extended. It was nearing midnight and most people were at home or working a night shift. In most houses, all was silent as families slept peacefully, enjoying their dreams. In other houses children were asleep and adults could be heard, laughing and talking together. In the few houses left, children were sobbing and angry yells could be heard.

The wind cut through a boy’s jacket and swept across his face. He wasn’t in any of these houses and he didn’t want to be. He had had enough and now he was free at last. He had crept out of the house. His parents hadn’t come to check on him. They never did, they always expected that he slept easily and peacefully. They didn’t know about the nightmares that woke him up and made him gasp for breath. They didn’t know about the thoughts and worries that kept him awake late at night when he was meant to be asleep. They didn’t know about his fears that make him shake too much to even relax. So he went out, jumping from his window onto a tree, he climbed down the tree, expertly grabbing the branches and swinging down. He left the garden that he had grown up in. The garden that he came to read in and play in with his sister when they were younger. He left it all. He wasn’t like any other child now, he was free. Free from everything that kept him back, free from all the sadness and anger of his family. But now it was too late, he had been contained too long and so he made his way to the rive. Glancing along streets before he walked, you could think that he was just another teenager sneaking his way out to meet his friends. This was so far from the truth. His only friend had been on holidays for a week now and so they hadn’t spoken. It had been too much.

He had reached the bridge that stood high over the river. It was quite a nice view if you thought about things like that. With a long deep breath he began to walk onto it. He had never been very good with heights, but it seemed like it was the right thing to do. Maybe his last act could be one of half bravery. With slow steps he breathed deeply, preparing himself for the events of the night. He was terrified, sad, angry and exhilarated all at the same time. Too many thoughts and emotions for one head. He was no stranger to emotions, he felt overwhelmed almost everyday, but this was the most he had ever felt, but also the least. Somewhere in there he felt a sense of calm. Everything was going to be okay. It scared him a little, but it was too late for that now. He reached the middle of the bridge and flung his head back. Staring up at the sky he screamed. He wouldn’t have done it any other night, but tonight he was free. He was free and so he let everything go. Dissolving into tears he kept screaming, staring up at the stars that flickered he screamed and cried. His last noise was one of anguish. “I’m sorry,” he whispered as he flung himself off the bridge.