The Paper Sky

Chapter Seven

I am going to die, I'm going to be crushed by the sky or fall into the earth. I can't be saved now, nothing can save me.

In my hopeless state, the sky started crumbling above me.

"Hello?" I yell. "Please help me!" Tears formed in my eyes and clouded my vision. Up in the sky, I can see a face, your face. "Hello?" I say. "You really are beautiful." In confusion, I wipe my eyes and look closer. "Who are you?"

You tell me your name, and I smile. "That is a wonderful name," I say. "You must be the reader, right?" You nod, and I reach up into the sky. "I wish that I could talk to you, but I'm about to die." You look at my predicament and a small tear forms in your eye. "Don't worry," I say. "I'd rather spend my last moments with you." You wipe your eye. "There no place I'd rather be." I sit down and try to relax, everything seems better when you're here with me. "Tell me about yourself," I say.  You start talking, and I smile. 

"You know," I say. "I think I love you." You laugh, and tears build up in your eyes once more. "I know it doesn't count for much at this point, but you're amazing. I hope that one day, you'll meet someone who deserves you." I start nervously moving my legs and hands. "Don't settle for any less," You look away, and I can see that you're scared, but so am I, it'll be okay. "Promise me something," I say, trying to catch your gaze.

"Anything," I think I hear you say.

"Don't forget me," I say, starting to cry again. "Please don't forget me." I bury my face in my hands, which are now shaking.

"I promise," you say, and I smile.

"Will you smile?" I say. "I bet you have a beautiful smile." You try to resist, but eventually I see you smile. More tears build up in my eyes, "You do."

Silence falls over us, but it says more than words ever could. A large crack forms and edges up the mountain, sure to meet me very soon.

You turn to close the book, but I yell loudly. "No!" I say. "Please stay! I'm so scared!" You stop and reopen it. "There's still more to the story... I think" You look to the bottom of the page and start crying, and I look down. "Keep your head up," I say. "Look at me." You shake your head. "Look at me, please."

"Will you promise me something else?" I ask, and you nod briskly. "Don't think bad about yourself, you're beautiful, okay?" You nod, and I smile.

"Thank you," I say, looking at the quickly moving crack. "You may want to close the book now." I scoot away as much as I can to lengthen my time with you.

You shake your head and stare at me. "I want to stay," I think I hear you say.

"At least I can die happy," I say, and the ground below me splits, making me fall down it. The last thing I see is your face. Your beautiful face, and I know that it'll be okay.  As I fall into oblivion, I close my eyes and picture you smiling.

Don't forget me, please.