Two Minutes Left

She was ripped out of the damaged hull, and he was sucked out right after. They tumbled through the sky and the wind roared around them.

She screamed.

He dove toward her and wrapped her in his arms.

“This is it, baby,” he said, grinning. “We’re about to be out of here.”

She was stunned by his grin and the scream dissolved in her throat. “You’re not scared?”

“We’ve got maybe two minutes left in this realm. Let’s enjoy them. And when we hit…stay with me, okay? Don’t go anywhere. Stay with me.”

“Okay,” she said softly. “Okay. I’m still scared though.”

“Don’t be. This is a fucking awesome way to die.”

She laughed, incredulous. “You really are batshit insane. I always believed it, but didn’t know it ‘til just now.”

He kissed her deeply and held her tighter.

“Hold my hand,” he said, shifting beside her so they fell side by side.

The wind howled around them. Far below, the earth slowly expanded.

“Is it gonna hurt?” she asked.

“We won’t feel a thing, I promise. We’re gonna leave these meat sacks before they hit. There’s nothing to do now except enjoy this. Oh, and look at us! We’re finally doing what we’ve wanted to for years, we’re skydiving!”

“You silly man,” she said. “That was supposed to be with parachutes.”

He laughed. They squeezed each other’s hands tighter.

He pointed toward the ocean, at the infinite shards of brilliant sunlight dancing on the waves.

She sighed. “I’m gonna miss this place.”

“Maybe. But where we’re going next is way cooler. Trust me on that.”

And she did.

The ground made its final rush…then froze…far below…as they watched their bodies…still holding hands…disappear into a puff of dirt and dust.