Sane

Chapter Thirteen | Staying Strong

Forrest wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me backwards, off the body. "Willow." He whispers.

I struggle against his grip. I scream out, my throat burning at the fiery coming out of my mouth. Forrest lets go, and I break into a sprint. I run as fast as I can. The wind runs against my face as I run with no destination in mind.

He's gone. Oakley's dead. The one that was keeping me strong. The one that was keeping me from falling apart. The one that was keeping me sane.

I thought that I could pick up my broken pieces and start again, but I can't without my reason to live. I don't have a place to call home anymore. I've lost it. I don't know where to go now. I feel more lost and broken than I ever have.

I run to the bridge you drive down to get from town to town. Cars are crowding it, all useless. I sit on the edge of the bridge, looking down at the water beneath me.

Life.

Pondering if there is even a reason why I should stay alive, I stare down at the water calmly going in the direction of the wind. The wind is directing it. Like my mind was directing my life.

My mind shouldn't take over my actions. It should be my heart.

I'm letting my not-so good thoughts overtake my actions. But I need a different direction. I need my heart to guide me.

But what does my heart say to do?

My thoughts keep telling me to end it. I'm useless. There's nothing left on this earth for me.

"Stay strong for me, okay?" A voice rings in my head. Forrest's voice.

Tears streak down my cheeks, as the battle within me takes hold of my emotions.

"WILLOW!" A loud voice says behind me. Forrest is running towards me, worry flooding his face. He grabs me by my arm and pulls me off the edge of the bridge, back onto the street. "Stay with me, Will."

My body begins to shake within his arms, my eyes frozen in place. Forrest steps back to look me in the eyes. "There's not much I can say, Willow. I know that sympathy only makes it worse. I've been through this before. All I can say is you're a strong girl, Willow. You're strong enough to get through this. I know what you're thinking right now, but those are lies. You need to stay alive. Stay alive... For Oakley." His words come out quick, but meaningful.

"Oakley's dead." Is all I can say, looking away from Forrest's kind and worrying eyes.

"What would he want you to do, huh? Do you think he would want you to just die and leave this world in pieces?" Forrest breathes heavily. I waver my eyes back to his.

"I need you, Willow. I need you to stay alive for me." He adds, now being the one to look away. He lets go of me and walks to the other side of the bridge, resting his hands on the edge.

"I know what you're feeling. But I also know that you can get through this. I'm living proof that it's possible." He says, turning around, and jogging back towards the diner.