Fishbowl

A few miles west of Corvallis, Oregon, the Yaquina Bay feeds into the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. The water that leads to the salty mysteries is none too warm, but greets the small town of Newport with welcoming shores. On either side of the bay, there's lush national parks and stray people wondering what to do in this sleepy Oregonian town. Not too far from the bay's waters are the rocky cliffs where the lighthouse sits, surrounded by the lull of the water and the hushed swaying of the tall grass around it. Every once in a while, the stray animal would wander from the safety of the tall grasses, into the zone where prying eyes search for its next meal. It would always quickly retreat, back to safety, back to the promise of family and protection.

There was a path. A path beaten by curious boys and girls, the road not unfamiliar to eager tourists and questioning guests, a path that led to the rocky cliffs of the Yaquina head, and there a mighty white beast stood in the center of. It's singular eye shone brightly into the night, it's guiding light something that sailors followed and searched for, their savior out of the dark.

But no white beast could have saved me from the dark that I was plunged into. No white beast could lead me to the safe shores and out of this treacherous, black water.

All I remember was the feeling of seeing his eyes glittering from the tears he held back as he stared at me, holding his hand over his heart, the blood seeping between his fingers. I felt a scream ring in my head, as well as the sound of the trigger being pulled and the bullet piercing a hole, ripping apart my world. When he fell, I felt the reality hit me and the scream finally pushed past my lips and my feet found its power and launched me to his side. I grabbed his arms and felt the tears roll down my cheek.

"Ryan..." The word tumbled from my mouth, finally pushing past the choking feeling I felt in my throat. His eyes searched desperately for mine, relaxing momentarily when his blue orbs found my dark brown ones that were clouded over with pain and fear. He managed to plaster a smile on his face as I lifted his head and rested it on my lap.

"I'm okay," he wheezed. "Just a flesh wound."

I pulled him into my arms. I fumbled with my phone as I pulled it out of my pocket. I screamed at 911 to get him, to save him. No, I will not let him die. No, no, no... I can't. He's not going to leave me!

I gently pulled him up so I could rock him back and forth in my arms, trying to stop the bleeding with my jacket.

"Ryan..." I croaked his name once more, hoping that the wound would magically disappear. He chuckled softly, trying to calm me down.

"Kate," he muttered, reaching up to brush the tips of my long brown hair. His eyes were glimmering, entrancing me. One of us had to be strong. I wish that it was me, but I couldn't bring myself to stop crying. His hair was pressed against his sweaty forehead. My heart beat against my chest, trying to break through, as his was fading. I rocked faster, humming as he looked up at the stars.

"Katherine," he said, mustering his strength to get my attention.

I stopped and glanced down nervously, a wavering smile forming on my face.

"Look."

I turned my attention to where he was staring. The sky was glowing from the stars dancing far above us. The moon radiated down on the two of us. The air was alive and smelled of the nearing fall and the salty sting of the air. Below us, the waves crashed against the still beach and rocky cliffs where we had taken refuge from the intimidating world around us. He winced under my tightening grip and muttered, "I want to go up there. I want to explore the galaxy, go on an adventure. Do you think I'm going to end up among the stars?"