Elysian House: Silver Bullet (2)

Chapter 13: First Taste

It was dark outside, and I knew Mom is probably really worried by now. My heart pounds as I look around for a way to get back up, but there isn't one. The vines and branches that hung low were too unsteady to grasp onto. If I did, surely, I would just fall into the river. I reach up, even try jumping, hoping to grab onto the blades of grass and pull myself over. But I can't, I'm simply too short. Or just can't jump high enough.

The sun was glistening on the horizon and any second now, I'd be enveloped in darkness with no way of seeing my way out. I wanted to collapse into the dirt, and cry my eyes out. I felt the sting of tears behind my eyes threatening to pour out. But that wouldn't help me in any way, and I knew that. 

With scraped knees, a sweaty forehead, and a thudding heart, I sat myself down on the riverbank, and pulled my knees to my chest. What would I do? 

I reached up, rubbing my eyes, even though there were no tears, I knew they were going to come soon. 

The river below me rushed peacefully, creating an almost relaxing melody. The birds were still chirping and flying about, getting ready for bed. A summer breeze whistled through my hair and gave me this calming stroke. I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes, hoping, praying for someone to come. For someone to notice me down here and to help me. 

Please, I thought, helplessly, please, send someone.

Then I heard, "Hey."

My head snapped up to the sound of a voice that wasn't my own and I looked straight up. A girl, with dark chestnut hair and bright blue eyes stared down at me from the top of the riverbed. She had her head tilted curiously, and she was smiling softly, almost as if she heard my pleads and came just for me. 

"Need a little help?" She asked me, holding out her hand. "It's all right, c'mon, I can pull you up."

Hesitantly, at first, I stand, and turn to the mysterious little girl. She was a bit older than me, that much  I could tell. But she gave me this feeling in my chest, and I just knew. I trusted her. So I reach up and she grabs my hand. 

Within moments, I'm out of the riverbed and sitting on the grass, with tears of relief about to stream down my cheeks. I run my hands down my arms. I felt embarrassed that I had gotten stuck and needed a strangers help just to get myself out. 

But instead of laughing, asking me what was wrong with me, or how I got stuck, she simply looked up into the colorful sky, filled with colors of bright orange, vibrant pink, and a soft blue, and said, "It's beautiful out here at dusk, isn't it?" 

I sniffle, wiping my nose with the back of my hand and look up at the sky as well. The sun was still gleaming bright on the edge of horizon, lighting up the entire sky with its beauty. "Yeah..." 

She looks down at me and holds out a hand. "Up you go." I grasp it and once again, she hoists me to my feet and she smiles again. Her smile makes my whole body relax. "You should go home. It's not safe after dark."

I nodded my head, knowing that much was true. But still, there was just something I had to ask. "What's your name?" My voice was clogged with indigestion from my tears. 

She brushed back that long, flowing hair and says, "My name is Viola Chase."

---

My head was pounding as I sat on the edge of my old bed. My room had barely changed. It looked exactly the same from where I left it not too long ago. I was going through my backpack, taking things out and placing them back in their original places. All of my extra clothes from my trip to Paris were placed back in drawers, or in the hamper in the bathroom. The flashlight was back on my desk and as for the gun... well, it's under my bed, in a box.