One...two, three.
Lincoln stepped off of the edge of the world and plunged into the night. The wind rushed by him. He was hearing screaming but realized that the sound was coming from his own voice.
The water was pitch black, black like tar, black like a blackboard, black as the night. He closed his eyes when his feet got in contact with the surface of the water. When making contact with the water, it was silent. There was no snapping of any bones, no loud splash, just pure silence. When submerged in the water, Lincoln became scared as the rushing water overlapped him like he was in a washer. He tumbled and tumbled through the rushing water. Anytime he opened his eyes, he became scared. That was because it was pure blackness.
Where am I? Am I a part of this world? Is the world only God knows? Am I dead? Alive?
Although he was scared, he didn't panic. Instead, he remembered what Lori told him whenever he was in conditions like this, relax his body. Following his sister's instruction, he told himself to relax.
Ok, Lincoln. Remember this is only water. You have more power than it has over you. Just relax. Just relax.
One, two, three.
He released the tension from his body, allowing the current to take him. By that time, his heart stopped pounding furiously. He was no longer struggling, with the exception that he had to come up and breathe.
He felt his chest burning, his lung protested him to go to the surface. By that time, his body was taking control over his thoughts as his legs were kicking and his arms were swinging. He kept pushing and pushing until he made it to the surface.
When approaching the surface, he breached for air like it was his first time into the world. Nothing is sweeter in the world than oxygen, he said to himself. Now, he had to ride the current until he was able to stop.
"Keep your head above water," he said aloud. "Keep your head above water." He wallowed with the current. The waves tumbling him. The smell and taste of water surrounded his nostrils and his mouth. At times, he had consumed the water. He was riding the current for about ten minutes until the current begin slowing down. When finding the opportunity, Lincoln was thinking of getting out of the current.
Fortunately, he saw a lingering branch approaching him. Looking at that as a sign, he extended his arms and caught the branch. Catching it was easy, but holding on to it was harder than he thought. Despite the pressure, he held onto the branch. Little by little, he shimmied with the branch until he was able to make it to the surface.
He succeeded.
He stepped on the moist ground. He then landed on his knees, panting loudly. He was cold as it reminded him that he was swimming in his underpants. Once he was able to breathe properly, he sat against the branch. He looked around and he saw nothing but darkness. Thank God for the moon, he thought, or he would have never seen that branch coming into his direction.
Then, the next thing on his mind, Lori and the others. He scanned to the direction where he jumped. However, he couldn't see anything.
"Lori," he screamed.
There was no response.
"Lori," he screamed again.
There was no response.
"Leni," he screamed.
"Clyde?"
"Ronnie Anne?"
"Anybody?"
There was no response. There wasn't anything but the rushing water filling the vacuum-like atmosphere.
Nothing but the slight echo coming from his voice.
His heart began racing, but he was telling himself to calm down. Panicking in the wilderness was the last thing he wanted to do. For a moment, he blamed Ronnie Anne. He wished that she never pushed him to do this kind of act. And for what, to protect his sister?
"Why did I do that," he said to himself while kicking the ground. "Sometimes, Lori couldn't give a damn if I was around or not. It is like I am a pest to her. Then yet again, I am a twerp to her."
A little frustrated, he kicked the ground again.
Feeling defeated, he sat on the ground. He knew that they have to be looking for him. If so, it may take awhile. And with the morning not for a few hours, it was going to be awhile. He sighed.
As he was looking at the river, something from the other side caught his attention. At first glance, no one would have noticed it, but something was waving from the trees on the other side. At first, it looked like a white flag. The moon was shining brightly toward the tree. Then, suddenly, his eyes widened when noticing that the flag was moving.
It turned out that it was not a flag at all, but a person.
Judging from the appearance, it was a girl. She was wearing a white dress that was drenched in water. Her long blonde hair went with the wind. She had her hand next to the tree. Lincoln was unsure of what she was doing. When he tried to back away, he stepped on a twig. He let out a yelp, which gave the girl her attention.
She stopped and locked eyes with Lincoln. Lincoln was confused but was certain that she was staring at him. She left the tree and was heading for his direction. What made it more raveling was when as she approached the river, she began walking on it. That was enough for him to entice fear. As he was trying to leave, the girl extended her arm out to him. That made him froze. He became stiff when becoming alerted by this mysterious girl. She continued walking across the river until she made it to the other side.
There was no sound coming from her. She was staring at him. She took a couple of steps before facing him. She took a couple of breaths as if she was surprised to see him. Suddenly, she extended her arms out to him.
"My love," she said with a whisper. "My love."
"My love," he questioned.
She continued walking toward his direction. "Where have you been? It's been so long."
Lincoln cautiously was taken aback from the mysterious woman. She had her hands extended and was lingering forward and forward.
"My love," she cried. "You have returned. Where have you been, my love."
"I don't know who you are referring to," he said hesitantly.
Her glowing smile spread further as she was becoming closer. "I don't think...I don't think…" Lincoln was shaking in fear. Also, he was feeling the night chill. Panicking, he decided to run.
"No, don't go," cried the girl. "Don't go."
He was running. He didn't know where as the darkness became more engulfing. He could still hear the woman with her cries, saying that he was a missing love.
"Please," she screamed. "Don't leave me again. Don't leave me."
He continued running until he trip and hit the ground face first. The pressure of being half-naked didn't make it easier as he felt the rough burns of the grass. He turned over as he could see a small shimmering light. He saw the moon, but it shined perfectly upon the mysterious girl.
"Come back to me," she said while wavering her arms. "Come back to me."
With enough strength, he managed to stand. There was a small twitch of pain on his ankle, but he tried to hardest to withstand the pain. He continued running until he saw a dry ravine. He went into the ravine. He muffled his voice.
Stay silent. Just stay silent. He kept telling himself. His hands were trembling from fear. He felt the pressure coming to him from the cold. Many things were running through his mind. He questioned on rather or not he was alive. He thought he could be in a purgatory-like state. He also thought about his parents, his siblings, Clyde. His final thought was on Lori.
"Lori," he sniffed. "Lori."
He wiped the tears with his hand. He hovered over his knees and stood still. He lied back as he hoped that the mysterious girl didn't find him.
Suddenly, he heard something crept over him. He felt the dirt landing on his head. He muffled his mouth. Lori, Lori. Help me, Lori. Please find me, Lori. He thought to himself. I don't want to be here. I am sorry that I put myself through this. Sorry for being a selfish little brother. I shouldn't allow my feelings take the best of me.
The presence was creeping forward. It was getting closer.
I should've never taken you for granted. I might be a twerp to you. You may not look at me as the best brother. But I love you, sis. I do what I do to you because it is only to show my affection to you. I love being around you and do these kinds of things with you. Just be here, Lori. Please, be with me. Lori, Lori, Lori.
"Lincoln," said a voice.
He opened his eyes and saw a flashing light a few feet away into the ravine.
"Lincoln," said another voice.
"Lincoln," said another voice, only this time he knew that one.
Lincoln stood up. His knees became wobbly as he stood up. He was moving up the ravine as he saw a group of people holding flashlights.
"Lincoln, where are you," cried Lori. Lincoln saw her having a flashlight in her hand.
"Where are you, bro," asked Leni.
Lincoln gathered the little energy he had left and climbed to the surface where they could see him.
"I am here," he said with a faint voice. "I am here."
Clyde took notice and flashed his light to Lincoln's direction. "Guys, there he is." He pointed to the others and they ran to his direction.
"Lincoln," cried Lori as she ran to her brother's aid. She kneeled on the ground. She was becoming tense after seeing her brother in his condition. "Here, let me help you." She removed her cardigan and wrapped it around Lincoln. She rubbed his arms to warm him up. She wrapped her arms around her brother as she was feeling on his forehead.
"Don't ever do that me again," she cried to Lincoln.
"I am sorry," cried Lincoln while his voice was crackling. "I am sorry."
Lincoln felt her hot tears landing on his face. "Don't ever do that again," she said again. "You had me worried. You had me scared."
"I am sorry," cried Lincoln as he was beginning to close his eyes. "I love you, sis."
Lori picked up Lincoln and put him on her back. "Let's get home," she told the others. Leni and Clyde began heading for the car while Lori was helping Lincoln. She held on tightly so that he wouldn't fall.
As Lincoln was being carried by his sister, he felt another eerie, but pleasant feeling. He felt the warmth. He opened his eyes and saw the mysterious woman beside him. She put her fingers to her lips, enticing silence to him.
Don't be afraid. For I am a friendly. Just listen to me and I won't hurt you. I don't have any reason to harm you. Understand?
Lincoln shook his head in agreement.
You look like the love I have lost. A love that I couldn't have because of how forbidden it was. He was very dear to me. A sweet, lovely boy he was.
She rubbed his forehead, which made Lincoln shiver.
He was just like you. Always supportive, always protective. Do whatever he could to protect the honor of his family. He was a wonderful boy that I eventually fell in love. But, what could I do knowing that I had a crush on my brother? It burned my heart knowing of these ill feelings. It burned my heart to know that he had felt the same way. He knew of it and didn't dare once judge me. Such a kindred spirit that he allowed me to do my selfish acts on him.
Alas, he was a kind boy. And I loved that about him. Upon my family learning of our love, I was casted away. Forbidden and abandoned by the family who brought me up. It tore me inside on knowing I couldn't see my love. I didn't want any other. So, I decided to end my life. A life without my brother is like a day without blue skies. A day without hearing the tranquil sounds of birds. Just hopeless.
This very ravine was the path I took on my way to my fate. I cried the entire way there. Grief-stricken and melancholic. I continued the path while crossing the river and making my way to the cliff. I stood there and watching the water rushing away. The entire time, I didn't think about anything but my love and my love alone.
Then, from the distance, I saw him. I saw my brother running towards me. He was crying, pleading and telling me to not do it. I was smiling because I knew that our love couldn't be torn. However, I knew that it wasn't going to last. But seeing him in my final moments were breathtaking. I looked up to the heavens and took the jump.
Was I selfish? Do you think I was selfish? It matters not. But, young lad, I want you to know that you should be grateful for having a sister that cares about you. She is not perfect. Neither was I. When seeing your sister look for you brought me joy because it made me think how my brother was looking for me.
You should be grateful. You should indeed.
'I am,' Lincoln told the mysterious girl. 'I am.'
I do have one request. One final selfish request I ask of you.
'What is it.' asked Lincoln.
The mysterious girl whispered into his ear. After she finished, Lincoln shook his head.
Thank you, Lincoln.
'Thank you, Umi,' said Lincoln.
I have hoped you guys enjoyed this chapter. Stay tuned for the conclusion. Thanks for reading!