WEBVTT

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The world narrowed to a two -inch ledge

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of sun -baked granite and the burning ache

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in Leo's forearms.

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Five hundred feet of sheer air dropped away

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beneath his heels. a dizzying emptiness that he

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forced himself to completely ignore.

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All that mattered was the stone. the heat.

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and the rhythm of his breathing.

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He shook out his left arm. feeling the

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microscopic crystals of chalk dust sift from his

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palms and drift away on the alpine wind.

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sparkling like diamonds in the merciless noon glare.

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Above him loomed the crux of the root.

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a blank. vertical expanse of rock that defied

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logic and gravity alike.

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The next positive hold was just out of

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reach. a desperate dineaway.

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Leo lowered his center of gravity. sinking deep

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into his legs.

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Every muscle in his back and shoulders coiled

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like spring steel.

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He couldn't afford hesitation. The midday sun had

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slicked the rock and his skin was already

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growing thin.

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With a sharp exhale. he exploded upward. leaving

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the safety of the wall entirely.

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For a fraction of a second. time dilated.

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He was weightless. suspended in the vast sky

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between the valley floor and the summit.

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A hazy cloud of white chalk billowed around

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his outstretched hand as he sliced through the

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thin air.

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His fingers brushed smooth. indifferent stone. slipped. and

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then violently slammed into a razor -thin pocket.

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His fingers curled inward with a desperate. crushing

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grip.

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The sudden jolt reverberated up his arms and

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rattled his teeth. threatening to peel him off

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the face.

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His swinging momentum slammed his body against the

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cliff with a dull thud. scraping his knee.

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but his fingers held fast.

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Hanging by one hand. chest heaving and adrenaline

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roaring in his ears. Leo closed his eyes

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for a single beat.

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Then. grinning against the dizzying exposure. he reached

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up with his other hand to find the

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next move.