Short Stories

Gone?

The people in the village had informed me of the mysterious waterfall that had laid dormant in the rainforest when I had arrived several days ago. I had been searching for these falls. You might be wondering why I would be searching for it. Several weeks ago, my husband had disappeared while searching for the falls. I had tried to stop him, but he has always been so stubborn when it came to these things. I wish he had told me that he was going to see the waterfall so that I could go with him, then maybe we could be together. However, I knew with his stubbornness that he would stop me from joining him. I dislike that his stubbornness has always been the reasoning for him keeping secrets. Although that's the reason I love him so much. Just one of the many traits that I love about him.
"You must venture deep into the forest to discover the heart and that's where you will find the thing you desire to find," The village elder instructed in riddles as he points into the lively forest. I nod and thank him for the help, even though it was in riddles. If my husband was here, he would be able to solve that riddle in moments. He has always been so good at solving them. When we would sit at our home at night, he would always be playing puzzles on his phone. I would try to help him, despite never being good at them in the first place. I miss him so much. I just want to see him again. The times we spent together was so grand. It hurts to have not been able to see him in several days.

I cut down the branches on the tree that are in the way of the trail with my machete. It has been days and I have yet to find the waterfall that the elder had informed me. I've packed plenty of food and water with me to survive in the wilderness. I ran into several animals from bears to rabbits. I was quick to leave the bears alone in fear of death to come. As for the rabbits, I tried to approach them, but they had become terrified by my arrival and ran away from me.
I cut down the last branch and walk through, crushing the branches underneath my boots. As soon as I walk through, a feeling of calmness came over my body. Suddenly, I was no longer stressed or anxious or depressed from the disappearance of my husband. My eyes go wide as I stare at the sight of the beautiful waterfall in front of me. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was the waterfall that the elder had told me about. The water was so clear that you could see all the small fishes peacefully swimming about. The large rocks were partly covered in moss from being wet from the water for so long. The trees looked much brighter than the rest of the forest. The animals roamed around, drinking the water and playing with each other. It seemed like when you were in this part of the forest, nothing bothered you. All you wanted to do was be one with the forest.
My lips curl into a smile. I drop my heavy bags of supplies on the ground and make my way to the clear water. The only thing that ran through my mind was that I had finally reached the location of the waterfall. The feeling of joy ran over my body. I couldn't contain my joy as I carelessly ran into the water. I splashed about in the warm water. The water had felt like a bath. I missed the touch of warm water against my skin.
I was taken away from my enjoyment of the warm water by the sound of a familiar voice calling out to me. I recognized the voice as my husband. It had been so long since I had heard the sound of his voice, it was almost startling. I turn towards the sound of his husky voice as he stands before me. He looked just as good as he was before I had last seen him. I couldn't contain my happiness as tears began to form in my eyes, blurring my vision. We called out to each other. I ran to him and hugged him, never wanting to let go of him, but I knew deep down that this wouldn't last long.

I opened my blurred, teary eyes. It took me a moment to take in what had occurred. It had only been a dream. Tears fell as my depression grew worse. Our bed, I mean my bed had felt so cold without him by my side. Waking up with him every day, seeing his face as soon as I woke up just filled me with energy. It pained me to not wake up to his face anymore. I had to face reality that he was never coming back to me. He was gone forever. I was here alone.