"stop."
"caleb."
"stop!"
the silhouette in the foggy morning heard nothing as he looked over the water. he hung off the bridge, the only reason for him not ending up in the water for now being his hand wrapped tightly around a pole. he could smell the sea, feeling its salt sting his nostrils as he took a deep breath in.
he didn't hear anything as his cold fingers slowly let go of the pole. he imagined he was flying through the air, and as he hit the water, he made no sound save for a small splash.
the water was dark, and colder than he expected. the chill sank into his bones almost immediately, and he began to shiver as he sunk towards the river floor. he felt his back collide with the sand as he landed face-up.
the sky seemed endless from down below, and he saw someone leaning over the bridge, looking for whatever had made his disturbance. he knew that they could not rescue him; he could not be saved, not now.
he was beginning to close his eyes when he heard a noise behind him. he looked over and his eyes widened, his hands trembling.
it was her.
she was dressed like the day she died; simply, with a green sweater and skinny jeans, and he favorite pair of sneakers. her brown hair cascaded down the sides of her face and across her shoulders, and her eye twinkled like two small blue lights.
"is it over?" the boy rasped, shocked that he could finally speak again. the girl knelt down next to him, nodding and taking his hand. "yes. you were very brave, darling," the girl whispered, stroking her finger down his cheekbone.
his eyes fluttered. "can i go to sleep? will i see you when i wake up?" he slurred again, feeling his lungs scream in some distant land and time, far away from this moment.
the girl nodded once more, standing back up. "yes, you will. i love you," she said again, her voice a mere whisper as it was taken along the wind. the boy shut his eyes, letting go into the dark and feeling the cold seep into his bones.
and when he awoke, there was no darkness.
only light.
