For Life

She was standing by a large body of water. Not far from her, he stood. It was raining, hard and thick drops. She was soaked to the bone, her clothes and hair clinging to her body and face. There was screaming coming from every direction though she couldn't see from who they came. He was yelling something to her, but she couldn't hear over the screaming and the rain. The rain drops pounded onto the rocks around her so harshly, it was difficult to hear her own breath. She looked to the sky and all she could see was darkness and strange bursts of light. He grabbed her arm and pulled her closer to him, letting go immediately.

"We have to go!" He looked around him. "Come with us!"

"I can't," she yelled back. She looked around. "I can't leave them, and I know what I must do." He looked at her as though he wanted to say something. His eyes bore into hers so deeply, filled with emotion, so many emotions, she couldn't discern them all. He looked away once more. "You have to go," she told him. She smiled and nodded. He didn't smile back and hesitated until he moved closer. He took her in his arms.

"I will find you," he promised. She held onto him tightly and felt tears welling in her eyes, her chest tightening. He pulled back from her, looking into her eyes again. "I will find you, I promise." Then he pressed his lips against hers. She didn't hesitate or pull away. But as quickly as his lips were on hers, he was gone. She watched him run off as she turned to leave in the opposite direction. She seemed to wander for days, the rain never ceasing, never easing up. She came across others along the way. Everyone was frightened.

Suddenly, a large wave came barrelling toward her. There was no outrunning it. She felt it sweep her legs out from under her. She tried to swim to the top for air, but no matter what direction she swam, the water pulled her in another and there was no end in sight. She could see bodies rushing by her, fighting against it. She continued to swim where the current was forcing her, but it was getting more and more difficult to go on. It felt as though her lungs were about to burst. She needed air. She needed to breath and there didn't seem to be anything but water in sight. She could feel her lungs wanting to explode. Her vision was starting to blur and suddenly, all went black.

Ⓒ May 2019. Beki Lantos. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form by any means without prior written permission of the author.