Self Preservation

      


     B'eight turns all attention back in the downward direction.  The mistake to climb up here is immediately revealed.  The entire distance downhill is obstruction free.  This by itself is not a problem, but the pile of sharp edged metal pieces that had fallen earlier can just be made out at the bottom of the slope.
               
     "I had better be extremely careful,"  B'eight thought in an attempt to fortify resolve, "I can do this"
     
     The instant after this thought, almost simultaneously, there is an explosion from the room B'eight just neglected.  The shockwave forces free B'eight's loose grip on the wall.  Helplessly the slide downward begins.  Fingers begin groping at the wall as it rushes past faster and faster, hopping to catch something but to no avail.  Socked feet stomp at the floor, hoping to get some traction, but this only causes B'eight to turn perpendicular to the direction of the fall.

   As the pile of deadly debris quickly approaches, B'eight thinks "I really wish I had gotten my boots"

- B'eight continues falling.  (Like there is any choice in the matter.)





















.