Eternity

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Earth

Virtue runs before the muse

And defies her skill,

She is rapt, and doth refuse

To wait a painter's will.

Star-adoring, occupied,

Virtue cannot bend her,

Just to please a poet's pride,

To parade her splendor…

Loss and Gain-Ralph Waldo Emerson

        The next few days passed normally. I hadn’t gotten the chance to return to Eternity yet; I kept falling asleep too early.

          We spent the Fourth of July with Finley’s family. We were pretty much officially together now. Everyone gathered to City Hall to watch the fireworks come up over the forest, and I have to admit, it was kind of…magical. I hate to admit it, but I had never seen anything like it in Seattle. We live to far into the city for fireworks.

Grandma Liv was there, and so were Finley’s parents. I sat by Finley on the grassy hill and we kept our fingers laced together. I liked being next to him, only our hands touching but my entire body feeling electrified. He kissed me goodnight after the fireworks and I never knew I could feel so happy.

          But enough of my daydreams; I had important things to plan. I was going back to Eternity tonight. I was prepared this time: Dalacie’s dress, the journal and papers, a flashlight, some food and water, and warm clothes that I found in the trunk at the end of the bed. I wasn’t sure if I would end up in Decca again or somewhere else, but it was always better to stay prepared.

          The sun was setting over the forest and the trees cast tall shadows across the lawn. It was almost time to go; I was planning on leaving a bit earlier this trip. I had been checking on Grandma Liv every night for a few days, and she usually fell asleep around nine thirty.

          I got all my things together in a bag and slid it under the bed. I opened up my laptop and hit the power button. It hummed to life and I opened up my journal.

July 8

          Everything’s set, let’s see what tonight holds. Exploring Eternity will change my life.

          I left the house at around ten, ready to dive into another journey.  I held my bag close to my side in the crook of my elbow as I ran through the forest. I was already dressed in Dalacie’s gown. I was hoping I’d blend in better if I wore it.

          The well appeared suddenly and I had to slow down immediately or risk falling in at full speed. Actually that predicament might not have been that bad, considering I was going to end up there soon anyway. My shoes crunched on the twigs underfoot and I looked around to make sure I was alone. I mean, I don’t know about you, but if I saw someone jump into a well and stay down for awhile before coming back out completely dry, I’d be kind of freaked out.

          I peered into the aquamarine water as I sat on the edge of the well. My shoes brushed the water lightly, and I wondered if I was doing the right thing. Dalacie had told me to stay away, but who would do that? I had just discovered a magical other realm. Of course I was curious. And I couldn’t help feeling a little…drawn to Eternity.

          I took a deep breath and slid off the stone feet first into the well, and let myself sink into the water.

          It seemed like a hundred years had passed since I had last seen Eternity; I was viewing it with new eyes, and it felt almost familiar now.  The forest surrounded me, and once again I was forced to make a decision of which direction to go. I spun in a circle blindly and stuck my finger out, pointing out my fate. Hey, we don’t all carry compasses.