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Jacob felt that old familiar tug as he stood atop the cliff, looking down into the clean, cool waters. He wanted to jump, to just feel that rush as the water flowed, engulfing him in it's soothing embrace. Every year, he made the pilgrimage here, and every year, he'd forced himself to jump.

Jacob wasn't getting any younger, and his hair was already thinning. At thirty-nine, he was quickly approaching the age where he'd have to discard his childish things and finally think about settling down. He'd never been one to plan too far ahead, living in the moment-Except for this. Each year, one week before his birthday, he'd make his way down here, and learn once again what real living is.

The cares of his regular life seemed to fade away as the sea air brushed lovingly against his skin. This was what things were really about. the just pure freedom, that lack of anything but the ocean. No cars, no meetings, no have-to-be-theres...just the calm rush of the waters lapping longingly at the bottom. He sighed and closed his eyes, taking it all in. He took the time here to just reflect on the past year, of everything that he'd done or not done, chances taken, silly luck and heart wrenching tragedies. Thankfully, this year had been uneventful. no changes in job, no real improvements in his love life or goals, but, no setbacks either. No, it was a pretty average year. He found peace in this, but had that little gnawing sensation in the back of his mind that he was missing out. He'd had opportunities to do things, to really live, but he'd chosen to skip them or just shied away from the chances altogether. Those were the nagging sensations that always gripped him, even in this, his most tranquil day in this most pristine location. He tried to shake them from his mind, to just enjoy the moment, but they'd already sunk their claws in, and soon his mind reeled of all the things he had just given up out of routine. "No, that's okay, I'll go next time"s and "We'll get together later"s. that permeated his life, in more ways than he'd ever realized.

Jacob opened his eyes again and sat , dangling his feet over the edge. the breeze was still playful and tickled the bottom of his feet.He took a few breaths and tried to clear his mind again. Why were things bothering him today so badly? he'd never had a single thought up here except for pure freedom. Maybe the time had finally gotten to him, and the simple momentary reflection had brought the wave crashing back of all the things in his life left undone.

There were just a few hours left of daylight. Jacob had been sitting on the edge for nearly half the day, just staring into the ocean and sky, wondering where he was going. This place held no more peace for him. He'd ruined the one place he'd ever felt that things would never be complicated. the cliff wasn't a symbol of his pent up exuberance anymore, the one place he'd really just let himself go. Now, it was his regret. the waters no longer soothing, but tendrils reaching for him to pull him into the darkness.
As the sun set, Jacob gathered his things and headed home, wondering what exactly the next day would hold.