Maria

Maria Chapter 1

Maria

Chapter 10

We were flying! We were flying together!

No. Not flying. Falling. Tumbling, hurtling, falling too fast. Stop! I want to go back! I looked up high above our heads. The cliff was so far and the water was so close. I clung to Maria but she was a rock, cold and still.

I prepared myself. Here it comes.

I plunged through the stormy surface into the black icy pit below. Immediately I was thrown down, deep below the waves by the storm. The icy chill threw my breath out of my lungs so I had to breathe in but I could only breathe water.

Maria was a dull weight in my arms. I shook her, trying to work out if she could tell I was holding her, clutching her to myself.

It was in my arms that the woman I loved breathed her last gasp.

And with mine, I spoke 5 tiny, huge words in her ear, kissed her unconscious lips and let go of her. She could not die in my arms. I wouldn't allow it.

Those 5 words, and the last sound either of us heard were these simple words:

"I will always love you."