He wrapped his arms around me and held on tight. At times we hit ground, but mostly just fell through open air. Our screams tangled with the rushing wind. I focused on the changing colors behind my closed lids, not willing to know the exact moment of our death. Or even worse—if we lived.

The fall lasted too long already, and I had to fight the instinct to look down. As I gave in and my eyes opened, a bed of white foaming water appeared. I had just enough time to take a deep breath when we sliced through the twisted surface. He still held me, pulling me up with him. My ankles ached and my lungs felt on fire. The man swam hard with the current, tugging me along.

After what seemed like an eternity of fighting to stay afloat, the man had us to the rocky shore of the raging river. We lay intertwined with one another for some time, both trying to catch our breath. Finally, the man asked, “Is anything broken?”

I lifted my head off his shoulder and looked into his large, milk chocolate eyes. “Um, I’m not sure. You?”
He slowly started moving his body beneath me. “I don’t believe so. But do you mind getting off me so I can make sure.”

I fought back an embarrassed smile. “Sure.” I rolled to my side, wincing at the pain my whole body was racked with. I watched the man as he stretched his long muscular body. He shook water from his black curly hair.

“Just bruised up really good. But other than that…” He looked at me sprawled on the ground and frowned. “So, want to explain why we both nearly died? Who are those men, and why did I almost take a bullet for you?”

[Reply]

By Sarah on 03.17.09 11:23 am | Permalink

Wow! You know I cheat and now I don’t want to even post story. Talk about hooked!

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By Liz on 03.17.09 3:55 pm | Permalink

”Did we lose them?” I whispered, my eyes scanning the trees.

“I don’t hear anything.” Becca turned to me.

We both knew that wasn’t a good sign. No birds chirping. No frogs croaking. Nothing.

“Time to go.” Marcus pulled on his pack, cinching it tight. He grabbed my hand as I reached for Becca’s, and pulled us through the waterfall.

Blinding white scored my eyes. Then prisms refracted color around me. An invisible rope wrapped behind my navel and jerked me forward.

Then I jerked the other way. Something towed me back.

Becca screamed, her hand went limp, and my grasp faltered. Fingertips clung for purchase, grasped at her sleeve, then she slipped away.

I lurched from Marcus when we landed. Sobbing, falling, gasping for air. “They got her. They stole my baby sister.”

He grabbed me by the arms and pulled me to my feet. “We’re not home yet either.”

I looked around at the black trees, the grey sky, the yellow water. “Where are we?”

“My guess- the wrong side of the prism.”

“We flashed to a dead world?”

A shattering crack sliced through the stillness. The tree branches lashed. A rumbling moan whipped over us as the ground quaked.

“Not so dead after all.”

Then we ran.

[Reply]

By judall on 03.17.09 5:20 pm | Permalink

Love the story judall! Now that’s one I’d love to read! So save it a write it–after you finish Illusions.

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By Sarah on 03.17.09 5:24 pm | Permalink

I um, just backspaced my story realizing it had turned into an uh, rated X type thing and now I’m left wondering just where that came from. YIKES!

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By Robyn on 03.17.09 6:36 pm | Permalink

LOL! Robyn! So clean it up and post it!

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By Sarah on 03.17.09 10:28 pm | Permalink

The pool wasn’t really that large— maybe twenty feet from bank to bank. But the rock was in the deepest part and somewhat in the middle.

I couldn’t walk out to it without taking off my pants and I sure wasn’t going to do that. I couldn’t really jump from the bank either—not without a running start.

I scanned the trees above for something to swing out on. Nothing. That one was too Tarzany anyway. Jumping was the only option.

“Okay. Here I come. Move to the edge a little so I don’t hit you when I land.” I turned and walked back a few feet.

“Wait—are you jumping?” She sat up and moved to her knees. “There’s no way you’ll make it.” She shook her head as she watched me.

One eyebrow arched. “You’ll see.”

I didn’t think I’d miss the rock completely. My problem would probably be overshooting it. The surface wasn’t exactly even either. I noticed the far side of the rock was the most level and aimed there. I started forward.

I felt my mistake the second my feet left the ground.
I missed the limestone completely, landing in ice cold water. The ground was much deeper on this side and my whole body went under.

Idiot!

Gasping, I shot up to see Rose lying on her side cackling with laughter.
“You should have seen your face!” She sputtered between guffaws. I could’ve been angry at her laughing, but knew I looked stupid. I felt my ears redden. “Don’t be embarrassed. I’m sorry for laughing. I knew the other side was much deeper, but I didn’t really think you’d make it that far. Here, let me help you.”

She stood and grabbed my arms. It would be so easy. Just a little tug and she’d be in. I acted before there was time to chicken out. Her hands were clasped to my arms. I leaned back and her eyes responded.

“No you don’t!” Her legs were set and she threw her weight back. I pulled her in easily, as she gave a shrill scream before hitting the water. The hands that gripped tightly to my arms fell away. I reached for her as she came up in a burst of water. It sprayed everywhere as she flung her hair back. Her arms came to my shoulders as she bounded back down, and mine found her waist. My voice caught as I got a good look at her. Hadn’t I just gone through this? I couldn’t stop staring then and I couldn’t stop staring now.

Was I trying to torture myself?

[Reply]

By Liz on 03.18.09 9:25 am | Permalink

I could hear Wil calling my name as I pushed through the over grown green foilage. “Lil are you coming?”
Breathing heavy I stopped and grasped at my side.
“You know this is our honeymoon! It would have been so much eaiser for me if you would have waited.”
This was supposed to be so romantic and all I was feeling was annoyed. I was half tempted to turn back toward our hotel and just go out on the beach and soak in the sun.
“Oh, please just keep following my voice.” Will pleaded with me.
I thought about it for a second, thinking of the beach, then thinking of my handsome husband. His blond hair and deep blue eyes won out and I kept pushing forward. I pulled away the ferns that were in front of me, stepped over some rocks and tree roots. The soggy ground sucked at my feet. I walked about 5 minutes more in as strait of a line as I could in all this green when I saw the light shine through . A break in the green, yes.
“I can see you Lily, keep coming.”
I grimaced at him hoping he could see that much of me.
I stepped through the vines and my gaze came upon the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. Tall green ferns fanned out over a small crystal clear waterfall. I steped out on a small enbankment to find my husband sitting with his feet dangling over the side of the waterfall. He had taken off his shirt and from the look of it he had already had a little swim. Water dripped from his surfer blond locks and his body glistened in the sun. Now, this is what I call a good start to our honeymoon.
I smiled up at him as he slipped back into the water and swam over to me. He playfully pulled at me legs trying to pull me in. I laughed at him as I swatted his hands away. I pulled off my shirt and shorts, having been prepared by wearing my swim suit. I jumped in after him splashing him.
“How did you find this place?”
“That’s what you get for tipping really well.” He winked at me. I giggled at him as he grabbed onto me. He pulled me into a tight squeeze as he planted a passionate kiss on my lips.
“Yeah, a great start to our honeymonn.”

[Reply]

By Brenna on 03.18.09 10:56 am | Permalink

Um, I don’t think that could possibly be cleaned up. I’d like to leave it as a memory. I’ll try again the next one. I think I’ll stay away from waterfalls though. LOL

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By Robyn on 03.18.09 4:32 pm | Permalink

He didn’t know how long he had been running, but his muscles burned, the gash in his side stung, and, worst of all, his lungs were scorched from breathing in the hot air. He wanted to stop, but he knew he had to keep going, even though, looking back now – what was he running from? Nothing was following him, that he could see. A quick glance behind him only only revealed trees upon trees, logs open logs. Why was he running? He strained, running faster, trying to think of what it was. But his mind was empty. He just knew he had to get away.

Sweat dripped into his eye, from the movement of his head turning to look behind him, and he almost fell in before it was too late. Water. Rushing water.

He barely stopped in time, his toes digging into the dirt, his arms instinctively flung out, searching for something to cling onto. He slid a bit, but his right arm, hooked around a small tree, saved him from falling in. But, he could feel the disconnection, his shoulder popping out, and his scream echoed through the air, bouncing off the trees, and when he finally clamped his lips together, he realized he and the river were the only things making any noise.

His rapid breathing began to calm. Sinking down into the dirt, cradling his arm, he could feel the spray of the water graze his skin.

He began to take stock. His arm throbbed, and he knew he had to do something about that pain. A chalky black substance clung to his tattered clothes. He touched his side, where the deep red gash was, and flinched. His fingers were now covered in blood. He lifted his good arm up, ran his hand through his hair, and flinched again, when his fingers hit a bump on his head. He dropped his hand, dismayed, frightened, wishing he knew what was going on. He must have been running from whatever had caused these injuries. That was the only thing that made any sense.

He stared at the river trying to remember anything more that could help him. But his mind was still blank. He couldn’t remember where he’d come from, or who he was, or anything about himself. He glanced downstream, to the left, and then upstream, to the right. Well, it had to lead somewhere, start somewhere. Climbing down would be easier; now that he was resting, every muscle in his body resisted movement. But staying put, he knew, was not an option.

This time, he moved slowly, taking his time, searching for the best place to put his feet, careful not to walk to close to the water’s edge. But whatever he had been running from was probably still out there, and he knew he had to get away.

[Reply]

By Liz S on 03.24.09 8:58 am | Permalink