The Extinct

CHAPTER

2





Looking down from 45,000 feet over New Hampshire reminded Eric Holden of a jigsaw puzzle. Green and yellow squares with small blips for the buildings and homes. At nineteen he’d already completed more than twenty jumps, all with his father James who stood in front of him now, letting him peek over his shoulder at the ground below.

“This is the highest we’ve ever jumped, Pops,” Eric yelled over the noise of engines and wind.



“With the wing-suits we should have four minutes of freefall. You ready?”



“Yeah.”



James nodded and pulled down his goggles. Eric playfully gave him a push out before James had a chance to jump. He watched his father flip backward and then even out into the traditional spread pose, his wing-suit catching the air and making him appear like some mutant bird slowly drifting down to earth.

Eric gave the pilot a nod and then vaulted from the plane.

The air was icy and stung the unprotected skin on his cheeks like needles. He spread his arms and thighs, allowing the fabric of the wing-suit to stretch and double his drag. He could see Strawberry River from here, winding through lush hillsides like a coiled snake. He remembered a fight that’d broken out on the riverbank between him and someone that claimed to be the boyfriend of the woman he’d taken camping with him. It only lasted three punches; the guy landed one squarely on Eric’s neck and Eric bashed two hooks into his jaw, knocking him unconscious. Then he helped him into a tent and waited until he came to. The guy didn’t remember what had happened and Eric didn’t have the heart to tell him. Instead, he said that he’d passed out, probably from the heat and dehydration. He bought it, or at least pretended he did.

15,000 feet. Eric decides to free-fly. He points his head downward turning his body vertical, tightens his wing-suit, and shoots toward his father. Adrenaline courses through him, his face turning white and the blood rushing to his organs and away from his extremities. The wind is screaming in his ears and crawls its way down his neck, freezing his chest and making him shiver. He races past his father who doesn’t notice him. Upon passing, Eric grabs the ripcord and pulls his father’s chute.

The parachute expands, causing a surprised James Holden to curse and instinctively reach for the cord to his emergency chute. Eric gives him a thumbs-up from below as his father slows and begins a gentle descent.

The landing is on soft grass and Eric unbuckles from the chute and waits for his father to descend; lying down on the grass with his hands behind his head. James lands fifteen feet away and unbuckles, a grin across his face as he shakes his head.

“That’s dangerous.”

“You did it first, old man. My first jump. Scared the shit outta me.”

Some aides began gathering up the chutes and James collapsed next to Eric. The sun warmed their faces and a light breeze was blowing cotton strands through the air.

“You still dating that porn star?” James said.



“She’s not a porn star, Dad. Jesus. She was in a swimsuit ad.”



James chuckled. “What was her name?”



“Wendy.”



“How’s old Wendy?”



“Good. You with anyone?”



“Nah, here and there. Nothing serious. I wanted to ask you something though; I’m going to India for a few weeks. Want to come with?”

“When?”



“A week from today. Hunting elephant.”



Eric laughed. “What the hell do you know about hunting elephants?”



“Nothing. That’s why I’ve hired a guide. It’s not exactly legal over there. You in?”



“Can’t. I’ve got finals coming up.”



“Well, next time then.”