A Bucket List for Ella

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

                  "Liam," I said, groggily awakening from my slumber.

"Hmm."

"Can I tell you something?"

"Anything," he said, still lying lazily across a hay bale.

"You need to be wide awake," I told him, running a finger down his shirt.

"Awake," he said, sitting up and staring me straight in the eyes.

"I have a confession," I told him.

"Okay..." Liam said. He looked skeptical.

This was it. I was finally telling someone. I took a deep breath in.

"I...have a bucket list," I blurted out quickly.

"A what?" Liam questioned.

"A bucket list. You know, a list of things to do before you die," I explained.

Liam just sat there, a look of utter shock on his face.

"Why?" he said, taking my hand.

"You have to understand, I didn't know if I was going to live much longer. Last time I was hospitalized, I was pretty bad. I didn't think I could pull through another round of chemo. Thankfully I haven't had to. For now," I explained.

Liam just sat there staring at me, so I continued.

"That's why I jumped off the pier, and why I came to Australia in the first place, and actually...last night should cross one thing off of my list."

"What's that?" Liam asked.

"To get stuck somewhere fun at night."

"That's good...but I have to say Ella, I think you're a bit insane," he said slowly.

"I'm not insane. I'm simply trying to achieve my life's goals before I die," I said stubbornly.

"Okay...can I please see this list when we get out of here?"

"I guess," I told him. "But how do we get out?"

Liam looked around, spinning in a full circle. He was silent for a few moments before coming up with an idea.

"I don't know how this could have slipped my mind," he said, "But I made a trap door escape here as a kid. It might be a bit dirty, but it's our only way out."

"Alright, let's try it," I said.

The trap door was in the back room of the barn. Liam opened the hatch and pointed the flashlight down it.

"Ladies first?"

"Oh no you don't," I told him. "You got us stuck here, you can crawl into the murder pit first."

Liam hopped down into the pit. The dried up earth came up to his neck. Liam crouched down and started shuffling down the tunnel. I followed behind him, wary of my steps on the slightly darkened path. A few moments later, I heard Liam banging on the door on the other end, and soon the door opened and morning light poured in. Liam got out of the tunnel then grabbed me by the hands to help me out. We both brushed the dust off of ourselves and hopped into Liam's Jeep for the ride home.