A/N- Hey everyone, I'm theeShadyLady bringing to you this fic called "Things Fall Apart." This is my first non-Hunger Games fic, so I hope you like it. Leslie POV.

((DISCLAIMER: I do not own Bridge to Terabithia.))

Chapter 1: "When the Water Ran Red"

"Jess?" I call hesitantly looking down at the raging water below. I doubt he would have come here without me, but maybe he got up early today. We haven't been to Terabithia in a few days, so he was probably in a hurry to get here. I use a branch to pull the rope swing over to my side of the river.

Once I have the rope, I give it a good tug just to make sure it's still strong. And then I take hold of it, jump forward, and swing. The first time I reach the opposite edge I don't let go of the rope, I lean my head back looking up at the sky. I remember the first time Jess and I came here and he was afraid to cross the creek. He tried not to show it, but I could tell. I can always tell. The water must be really high because I can feel my hair dragging through it.

"Jess?!" I shout again after I jump off the swing onto the opposite side of the creek. I run through the woods at top speed, calling his name. It's been raining, so the ground is soft and I slip a lot. But that doesn't slow me down. When I reach our fort I realize he's really not here. I also notice that Terabithia is extremely quiet. Not one of the Terabithians are making a sound, or are even in sight.

They must sense the absence of their king. I need to find him. I miss–I mean–we miss him.

I start running back towards the creek, I feel like I'm running slower than usual. But that might be because I am used to Jess running right beside me (well, behind me).

As soon as I have hold of the rope I thrust myself forward, close my eyes, and hold my head back feeling the water splash my hair. But then I feel too much water. I feel it on my face, my clothes, and my arms. My eyes snap open and the last thing I see is a small section of rope still hanging from the tree. Then there is nothing but water. It's rushing into my mouth and my nose. My eyes are still open but the current is tossing me around too much to see anything but water.

How could this happen? I checked the rope. No! I forgot! The one time Jess isn't with me is the one time I don't check!

My head hits something hard, probably a rock. I feel dizzy and I notice the water around me has swirls of red in it. I get thrashed around and I'm scared, because I can't breathe at all and I don't want to die.

I get pulled farther under water. Time seems to slow down and I start seeing things. People say when you're about to die you're entire life flashes before your eyes. But that's not what is happening to me...

I see the last time I saw Jess, with the rain dripping from his hair and his sad smile.

I see Easter when I went to church with Jess and May Belle. What if May Belle's right and I'm going to Hell? No, God wouldn't do that. But I don't have time to think because now...

I see the time Jess and I put a note in Janice Avery's desk.

I see day Jess came over to help paint the Gold Room in my house.

I see the time Jess got Prince Terrian for me. I never needed a present, he was enough. But he didn't know that. And now he never will...

I see the first time Jess and I came to Terabithia. Oh, Terabithia, I hope your king doesn't abandon you after I...

And finally I see the first day I met Jess. And that's all I see, nothing before that. Then I realize the reason why; that was the day I started really living. What would I have done without you, Jess? I wouldn't have P.T. I wouldn't be friends with May Belle or Janice Avery. There would be no Terabithia. And I would be alone.

I break the water's surface for a moment. "Jess!" I scream but he's not here, he can't hear me. Why is it that things fall apart when you need them most?

I suddenly feel tired and like I can't fight any longer; the current is too strong. So I close my eyes and let the water take me, still holding the broken piece of rope. I'm not scared anymore, but I really wish Jess was here.

Just as I feel myself beginning to fade, I hear something. My eyes flutter open. "Jess? Jess! Help me!"

But it's not him, it's P.T. He's barking at me and making whining sounds as he races with me along the creek's edge.

At this point I'm feeling pretty dazed, but I manage to get out "P.T! Find help." Or at least I think I say that, because I can't hear P.T. anymore. I don't hear anything anymore. The last thought that enters my mind is...

Goodbye, Jess Aarons.

~theeShadyLady~