A Perfect World

Part Four

                                                                                        ***

I awoke the next morning to a bright leer of light filtering among the empty darkness of the cavern. Curiosity lingered within me as I leapt forward, examining an opening within the cave. Veering beside me, lay both Cecilia and Quinn, soundly asleep. Yet, as I peered through the misted light, I soon realized one person was missing. Alec.

Panic soon surged within me, as I turned wildly to the girls. Yelping, I frantically bellowed,

"Celes! Quinn! Get up now!" The two flinched as their eyes rushed open. Flustered, they glanced wearily upon myself, and soon, at the opening within the cavern walls. Gasping silently, Cecilia soon turned to me.

"Alec... Alec is missing."

"What?" Quinn spun around madly, her face contracted in an awestruck spasm of horror.

"We've got to find him. C'mon!" I then veered out of the cave, the wind churning my beaten features, as I whisked rapidly forward. I could hear the soft footsteps of both Cecilia and Quinn following quickly behind me, as we madly rushed to find Alec. The rapid pounding of my heart seemed to lash through my chest, as I dove briskly forward. Fear seized my now aching features, as my eyes swerved urgently for him.

Stooping to my knees, as I hovered over the ground, gasping as I rasped icy wavers of air. Only one thought lingered within my mind. Alec. Alec. I had to find Alec. For somehow, I knew he was in trouble. Peering forward, I saw only Quinn now. Cecilia was somewhere far ahead of me, lost unto the dense clouds of mist.

Returning to a brisk jog, I parted the great wafts of smog that seemed to penetrate my vision. And then, I saw him. Alec stood over a great cliff, his arms clinging motionless to his sides. He gazed unblinkingly at the great mass of water below, watching it churn and disappear in wafts of icy smoke. Closing his eyes, he leaned gently forward...

And suddenly, another figure peered before the mist. Her slender silhouette parted among the clouds, as she dashed in front of him, her hands pressed against his chest. Pushing him madly out of the way, Alec stumbled backwards as he fell onto the ground. And then, it happened.

I watched it awestruck horror as Cecilia's knees toppled backward, tripping over a loose root. Her eyes widened in gleaming terror, as she turned desperately to the water. My brows furrowed as I gasp in leering horror, pelting urgently forward. And then, the world seemed to collapse upon me as I helplessly watched. As though I was merely there to watch.

Her body twirled in a dazed motion, as she flung wildly into the water. Her eyes held purely upon me, her hand reaching forward, her fingers outstretched; as though to reach me. And soon, the churning waters clashed upon her, beckoning her into its icy depths.

My mind whirred in a misty sense of confusion. Without thinking, I too hurled myself into the water, every sense, every impulse invested within me only focusing on one thing: Cecilia. I had to save Cecilia. Cold fragments of water dispersed upon me, I let out a sharp gasp of pain.

Searching frantically, I dove into the water, my mind spinning, the world caving upon me. A cascade of filtered green wove into my mind, as I plummeted forward. And suddenly, I saw her. A slender figure fallen limp as it ascended downward upon the ocean floor. I propelled myself forward, my fingers wrapped upon her fragile frame.

My head lifted upon the waters, as I swam madly towards a nearby rim of sand. My vision blurred as I fastened her body close to mine, pleading desperately that she was okay, that she was still alive. Hurling her unto the ocean shore, I legs gave a sudden jolt as they began to give way. I flung myself upon her, pressing my hands sharply into my chest, as I smoothed drenched hair away from her still perfect features.

"C'mon, c'mon, please... Please, Celes, please..." I prodded her chest, lurching forward as I pressed my lips against hers, madly trying to replicate her breathing. I could see a concerned Quinn and Alec rush to my side, as they somehow managed to come to the shoreline. Redundantly, again and again, I pressed and pushed, trying with every impulse in my body for her to live. Tears streamed down my face, as my lips quavered horribly. I could feel my own breathing come in shallow rasps, as my hand began to shake violently.

"Cecilia, please! Please!" I bellowed to her, now sobbing uncontrollably. "Don't... Don't leave me here..." I whimpered. My chest seemed to explode in an epitome of pain. I let myself wallow upon her lifeless body, sobbing and lashing out in remorse. Alec and Quinn stood beside me, motionless, as they too peered upon what was left of Cecilia.

My eyes squinted as grief continued to plunge out of me. Lifting myself up, I let my gaze rest upon the beautiful figure. My hands coiled around hers, as they carefully wrapped around her still clenched fist. Pulling her curled fingers backward, I rested my head on her chest.

Yet, suddenly, my fingers wrapped around a drenched object displayed within her hand. Reaching up, I unraveled a tarnished piece of paper, in which was titled, "A Perfect World." A single word lingered upon the toiled paper, pressed in a scribbled inscription. Merged in black ink, it stood barely legible. "Snow." It had said. Snow.