Case CRx

Chapter 3

Am I sweating or are these tears on my face?
Should I be hungry?
I can't remember the last time that I ate.
Call someone,
I need a friend to talk me down.
But one foot wrong,
I'm gonna fall,
Somebody gets it,
Somebody gets it.
But one foot wrong,
I'm gonna fall,
Somebody gets it,
Somebody gets it.
All the lights are on,
But I'm in the dark,
Who's gonna find me?
Who's gonna find me?!
Just one foot wrong,
You'll have to love me when I'm gone.

I stood at the edge of the cliff, looking down at the rocky plane beneath me. I held my breath and spread my hands out.

This is it.

Attempt two.

I braced myself mentally for the impact, I was suicidal but not stupid. I knew it would hurt as hell. I heard the green trees behind me whispering to themselves as a light wind caressed them. It was time to finally let go. I was ready to jump, a second away from my feet leaving the ground.

"Christine!" I heard a familiar voice yell.

I looked back and saw the annoying irritant. What did he want now? Couldn't he see I was in the middle of something important? I decided to ignore him, and turned my head back to what would be my death site. I closed my eyes. It was time to let go.

I jumped.

My crash was instant. Kinda faster than I thought it would be, and not painful. Perhaps that was what death was like, no pain. I felt some sort of pressure on my chest, maybe my body was preparing itself for the afterlife.

Finally, I thought. I'm free.

"Christine?" I heard the same voice from earlier call out. I opened my eyes and saw Eli on me. Why was he resting on me?

"Get off!" I yelled and shoved him off. I stood up quickly, scanning my surroundings. I was still alive.

Attempt two failed.

"What the fuck is your problem!" I yelled, tears streaming down, my face. "Do you know what you've just done?!"

"I believe I just saved your life." He said smugly. I wiped my face, and turned my back to him. No need wasting my time with him. I began walking when I felt his hand on my right shoulder, I smacked it off immediately, not stopping or turning to face him.

"Christine Reynolds!" He yelled and I stopped dead in my tracks. I heard him come closer till he was in front of me, staring at me with those blue eyes.

"I told you, I'm here to help." He said, making me lose my temper.

"Help?! Where were you when he hit my mother?! Where were you when he hit me?! Where were you when he raped me?! I was 8!! I was bloody, fucking eight the first time I saw him hit her, I was eight when he raped me the first time. Why didn't you come then huh?! Where were you then?!!!" I yelled, the tears gushing out uncontrollably now.

Why did you tell him that, Chris? I asked myself. He was the first person I had told, ever. I suddenly regretted it but there was nothing I could do.

My body felt too heavy to lift so I sunk to the ground, not caring about my black jeans getting dirty. I didn't stop the tears either. I had endured everything for 9 years, the least I could allow myself to do was cry. Eli sunk to the floor beside me, and wrapped his arms around me, consoling me.

I let him.

"You'll be fine Christine, you'll make it through this." He said. I didn't believe him, but I needed this. I had no one. My mother cut our relatives off, before I could learn to talk.

"I'm honestly here to help, you have to let me." He begged.

I looked at him, and saw in his eyes nothing but sincerity. I believed this stranger.

"Do you trust me?" He asked.

"Is that necessary?" My voice was hoarse, just like I expected. He gave me a small smile before standing, lifting me with him. He was stronger than he looked.

"You must not freak out, okay?"

"Sure." I replied with a voice, that barely sounded like mine. He looked at me, as though studying me, then sighed.

"I'm an angel."

Yeah, right.

"Sure you are." I replied, wiping my face with the back of my palms. I had stopped crying. His presence was enough to calm me down but now, I suspected he might be crazy.

"I'm serious Christine. How do you think I know your full name? How do I know where you live? Your school? How did I know you would be here? Why do I keep following you?" He asked, rushing his words, staring at me intensely like he was waiting for the lightbulb to suddenly go on. And it did.

"You're a stalker." I gasped. He rolled his eyes irritated. "What? That's the only answer that makes sense."

He sighed again. "I'm an angel assigned to help you." He said.

"Alright then. Where are your wings? Let me see them, angel." I said, sarcastically.

He winced like he had been hit. "I don't have them yet." He replied.

"Ha...I see."

"I'm serious, Christine." He said, exasperated. "Okay. I have an idea."

He walked over to a tree, that seemed like it was wilting. He placed his hand on it, and closed his eyes, concentrating deeply. I watched as the tree seemed to straighten itself up; it's leaves turned greener, it's bark darker. The tree seemed to be restored back to a perfect condition. I stared at him, my mouth open.

Could he be my long awaited savior?

He walked back to me, smiling. I closed my mouth and said nothing. What do you say to an angel?

"Do you believe me now?" He asked, and I nodded my head. "Will you let me help?" He asked, and I nodded yet again. I was desperate.

He smiled and came close to me, he placed his hand on my chest and closed his eyes. The same level of concentration on his face earlier was back. I felt my heart heal. It was a feeling I could not describe. It wasn't like I stopped thinking my life was worthless or I thought the world was a wonderful, wonderful place. No, I just, for the first time, felt like not all hope was lost.

He opened his eyes, and removed his hand, smiling again. He placed both hands around my waist, his cute smile, now a smirk. I gasped as he pulled me a bit closer. I was about to make a smart ass comment when I saw the light coming from around us. It was a white light that seemed to surround us. I saw my feet levitate a little above the ground and saw that we were now spinning, slowly. All the worries and fears, all the sadness, I felt it fade away. I felt what I hoped to feel from my death. I felt the bliss I wanted. The feeling was exhilarating. I let myself get carried away a little by it. I tilted my head back, and laughed happily.

My first real laugh in nine years.