Just Stay Strong

"Leslie...?" Darkness swept over me like a storm in the night. I see her. And only her. I reach out to try and grab her, but grasp nothing. The tears run down my cheek and smear themselves on the pillow. I remember the way she walked. It was a sort of jump. She was always happy. I remember the way she smiled. She always smiled. I remember the way her eyes told you stories. She was always a great story teller.

"Leslie!" It's been so long since she died. I miss her. The night terrors won't stop. I see her, try to grab her. I call her name, but she won't turn. She won't turn. Her hair bounces as she skips away. Away from me. Her laughter fades, and she leaves me in the dark, and I'm afraid. I scream her name. I scream until it feels like my throats bleeding.

"Jess! Jess! Wake up!" My eyes shoot open. Red and sore. My mother shakes me until I bury my face in my hands.

"It's..all my fault.. I should have invited her to come with us... to the museum!" She rocks me back and forth and shushes me until I'm calm.

"No. It's not your fault. The rope it..." I cry at the thought of her screaming my name as she disappears into the river. I stare into nothing-ness until she leaves, then drift slowly back into a restless sleep. Dreading the nightmares that come.