Icarus is Falling

This is a short adaption of the story of Icarus and Daedalus (Greek Mythology) therefore I don't own the characters.

Broken glass. Scrunched up paper. Smouldering cigarettes. The upstairs bedroom was a cavern of rubbish and textbooks, piling high amongst used clothes and beer bottles. It had one inhabitant, Icarus, who was lying fast asleep in the pile of blankets and cushions, still fully dressed in his day clothes. The room was quiet and still until the sudden sharp ringing from the mobile phone caused the blonde haired boy to jolt up from his sleep, only recoiling again from a headache heavier than the burden on Atlas’s shoulders.

“Great Gods… is it Monday already?” He grumbled and swung his legs out onto the cold wooden floor and picked up the phone. The screen lit up and he skimmed through some text messages, in a half daze and unsure how long it had been since last nights party. He glanced at the time and cursed, realizing it was mid afternoon and he’d already have missed most of the day’s lessons. He sighed in frustration and grabbed his bag, leaving his room before proceeding down the stairs to the hallway. It was rare for him to attend many lectures at his university, and he didn’t particularly mind that he was behind on most of his subjects. Icarus was happier being free from work and out with his friends, not stuck in a scholarly prison cell. Just as he reached for the brass door handle a voice echoed from the studio his father used for his sculpting.

“Icarus? Is that you?” He exclaimed before trudging out into the hallway, looking haggard and scruffy from long ours of sculpting.

“What are you still doing here!? You’re supposed to be at the campus right now!” The grey haired man huffed and tucked the rusted pallet knife in his clay-covered apron before wiping his hands on the fabric. Icarus simply groaned in annoyance and gave his father a bemused look, “Why do you even care, old man? Your not the one paying the fees.” Icarus retorted and leant against wall of the hallway, preparing for yet another lecture from his father. Daedalus scoffed and folded his arms defensibly, “Son, I want you to do well in life and be content with yourself. And that means finishing Uni and having a successful career. If you keep gallivanting off with those good for nothing hooligans-”

“They aren’t hooligans! They’re my friends!” He spat before reaching for the door handle again.

Daedalus looked at his son sternly, “I only care about your safety Icarus. You associate with a bad crowd.”

“There’s nothing wrong with them. They’re better friends than you’ll ever be.” He snapped back at his father before leaving the house and slamming the door behind him.

On his way to the campus Icarus took out his phone, frowning at the screen while the argument still occupied his mind. “Tsk. Foolish old man…” He muttered as he texted back a friend he had met at the previous night out. Another message popped up of the screen, the contents of which caught his attention.

Hey Icarus, the guys are skipping class and going to a pub tonite at 7, its David’s b-day and we’re having cake! You up for it?

He smiled and didn’t hesitate to respond, typing quickly.

Sure! I’ll meet up with you near the station.

With the message sent, Icarus put away the phone and crossed the street, walking directly to the train station. It was normal to meet up with them after school and have a few drinks before causing chaos in the streets. It was wild fun, and Icarus planned to live as many minutes of his life enjoying life with his great and hilarious friends.

Once he arrived at the station he dumped his bag and schoolbooks near some lockers and waited for David and Jason to arrive.While he waited, he thought about the argument with Daedalus. Was his father right? Was college really worth it? His future had been a frequent topic of discussion with the two of them, and typically ended with Icarus throwing a tantrum and leaving the house. The thoughts were interrupted when his two friends arrived, along with three other strangers he hadn’t met before. He smiled and greeted them none the less, introducing himself to the others before the group of them walked out onto the street, towards the setting sun.

……………………….

Night fell over the city, each street lit by the yellow glow of streetlamps and bright neon shop signs. The six friends walked down the almost empty main streets, talking and laughing after they celebrated at the pub. Icarus was there with them, talking and laughing with Jason.

“Yeah, yesterday I went to that place, what is it? I don’t know something, but, anyway, I stole a computer and they didn’t even see!” The dark haired boy with a cigarette in one hand explained the scenario, or what he could remember of it, to Icarus.

“How!? That’s brilliant!” Icarus laughed and stumbled along the path with the rest of the group.

“Its so easy. You just snatch somethin’ while they got their backs turned and hey presto!” He playfully elbowed Icarus and nodded towards an electronics store up ahead, still open late and empty of customers. Jason smiled and eyed Icarus mischievously, “I dare you… to nick somethin’ from that shop.” His drunken words slurred as the others listened in, agreeing with the proposal.

“Yeah! Do it Icarus, you’re quick!”

Icarus laughed and cleared his throat a little nervously, “Nah, not tonight, I should get home…”

“What’s that? Too scared?” One of the boys mocked, laughing to his friend, as another chuckled, “Is the little bird going to fly back to his nest?” They all laughed in unison.

Icarus clenched his hands and faced the group of them, not wanting to give in to their taunting, “Alright, alright, just this once…” He rolled his eyes at them as the cheered in response. How bad could this be? Icarus smirked and made his way down the dimly lit street, walking to the small shop on the corner displaying televisions and computers in the front window.

“Piece of cake…” He murmured to himself and entered the shop as the doorbell chimed.

The quiet shop was free of customers, only occupied by the shopkeeper who was lounging back in a chair by a radio that buzzed quietly with rock music. He walked down the isle, having a look around and the all sorts of gadgets and devices that cluttered the shelves. Icarus browsed a little longer until he came across an expensive new model of smartphone, sitting on the shelf at eye level. With a glance in both directions he swiped the box that contained the phone and tucked it under his arm swiftly, breathing sigh when nothing went off. The man sitting by the counter hadn’t noticed and continued flipping through a book. Icarus let a small smile reach his lips and walked to the door, pushing it open with his back and stepping out onto the street, only to come face to face with a pair of police officers on a night patrol. His smile dropped when the alarm in the door was triggered and the wailing noise filled the air. The two officers turned swiftly and glared at Icarus, who stood frozen in the doorway. After a quick glance to the side he realized his friends had disappeared from sight, leaving him alone to face the cops.

No way. He wasn’t going to be caught like this. Clutching the box, Icarus bolted form the shop and turned down the street sprinting away from the officers who where now shouting and running after him.

“Stop right now!” one of them yelled a distance behind him.

Icarus was fast, disappearing down a side street and skidding around a corner into an alley. Whilst scanning his surrounding he found some stairs leading up the side of an apartment block, only a few streets from his own home. He dashed up the metal stairs in a flash and glanced back to see the policemen follow him down the alley.

“Damn it…” He cursed as he pulled himself onto the roof of the building and staggered along the flat concrete rooftop towards the opposite edge. He came an abrupt halt, flailing his arms like a startled dove while balanced right on the edge of the rooftop. From here he could see the apartment where he lived, and if he could get to his room and hide the police wouldn’t have a chance of catching him.

“Hey! Stop!” An angry shout echoed from the stairs as boots clanged and the metal structure, still chasing him to the roof.

Icarus’s breath caught and he glanced between the stairs and looming drop between the two buildings. There was only one way. He had to jump. Once the reckless boy took a few steps back, he launched himself into a run, sprinting to the edge and leaping with all his strength off the roof. Adrenaline coursed through his veins and almost made his heart stop, feeling that he might not make it as he flew through the air. Was this how he was going to die?

Gravity enveloped him and ripped him down from the sky, into a certain death. At the next moment Icarus felt himself hit a hard surface and roll to a stop, dizzy and confused. He had made it onto the other roof. Once he caught his breath he clambered up to his feet and broke into a run, sprinting as fast as his legs could carry him towards the ladder. The shouts grew fainter as his heart beat in his ears like a drum, climbing over the edge of the roof and sliding down the ladder to the safety of the street. After spotting the front door of his home he dashed to it with the box still in his hand. At last he firmly shoved the door open and slammed it closed behind him. Weary and shaking with adrenaline, his back hit the door and he and slid down the floor, feeling overwhelmed with relief. It took him a minute to realize Daedalus was standing opposite him, looking awfully cross. Icarus sighed and got to his feet wearily, “I know, I know, I was out late again, I-,”

“No Icarus, this is much, much worse…” Daedalus looked saddened as he held up a letter in one hand, “You’ve been rejected from the university for failing your subjects. You’ve fallen into this yourself… I think we’ll discuss this in the morning. Goodnight.” He sighed and walked solemnly back down the creaking floorboards to the studio, leaving Icarus slumped against the door with his head in his hands.