By April Fellows
Most people thought the cemetery was haunted. I knew better. It sat right atop the divide where the veil between worlds was weakest. Moonlight spilled through the clouds above, and when a sudden chill on the breeze drew goosebumps down my arms, my heart soared.
He’s here.
Jake. My sweet Jake, walking with me to the edge of the divide. I couldn’t hear him yet, but I knew he could hear me.
“Hey babe.” I smiled, eager to relish the comfort our conversations always brought. “It’s been too long. Sorry I got distracted lately. There was a lot to do, ya know?” I shook my head, wanting to tell him everything all at once. “I just came from the memorial. Your folks still have one for you every year. Wish I could tell them you’re not really gone.”
A silver thread floated through the air, suspended several feet above the sidewalk. The divide. Specks of light shimmered and danced exactly as they had five years ago.
Tonight’s the night! It has to be. My heart pounded at the thought, desperate to make my limbs move faster. I wanted to tell someone, but who’d believe me? My boyfriend was lost. Missing. Declared dead. How could I tell anyone it was my fault? My fault he’d been trapped in a world he couldn’t escape? I jumped from the curb and neared the floating thread.
And there he was before me—his slender physique, brown hair, and his favorite blue flannel shirt. His smile made my heart swell, like always; I’d never get used to that brilliant grin. He stuffed a hand in his pocket, dragging the other through his loose curls. Mercy me. If this wasn’t so serious, I’d melt right into a puddle on the sidewalk faster than the Wicked Witch of the West.
“It’s almost here!” I bounced on my toes, and my skirt swayed. He’d disappeared five years ago this night, and he was coming home. We’d tried it every year since he’d gotten stuck, but only now did the veil dance the same way it had that night. A trip through to the spirit world was as easy as walking through the tear. Coming back would be harder. One needed a tether—someone rooted in the mortal world.
“You look beautiful, Maddy. I can’t wait to finally touch you again.” His husky voice always got me, though the ghostly tone was something I could never get used to. He looked me up and down, his smile still wide. “Just one question, though. Why black? You go goth on me or something?”
I rolled my eyes. Of all the stupid jokes to be making right now. “Goth? Really, Jake? I told you I just came from the memorial. Your memorial. Your folks are still mourning you, ya know.”
His face fell, sorrow casting a shadow over him. I hated when he was sad. Ghosts don’t just sulk, they lose color. Guilt poured down to my toes. Stupid Madison! Why would you go and spout that? That stuff always brings him down. “I’m so sorry, Jake. I didn’t mean to…” I rubbed the back of my arm.
He smiled a little, but it didn’t reach his eyes. His color still smokey.
My cell phone chimed in my purse. The alarm! Somehow I’d missed the first tones. I pulled it out. 11:59:45. Fifteen seconds. I looked up. Jake’s eyes searched mine, and I nodded as his color sprung to life. We were ready for this.
“Should we count down or something?” he asked.
“You mean like New Years?” I couldn’t help but giggle. He was always joking, which was why we got along so well. He shrugged and nodded.
I looked back at the phone and counted. “Five… Four… Three… Two… One… And go!”
We stepped forward together, our hands outstretched. His fingers hit the silvery thread and solidified. As soon as his hand came through, I grabbed it and pulled as hard as I could. His skin felt like ice, but it was real. A thrill ran through me. I was finally holding his hand! His actual hand. His fingers were boney, and he had almost no muscle tone to his arm, but he was real.
The moment his chest crossed the veil, a surge of energy threw us both to our backsides, separating us. I leapt to my feet, determined not to let anything stop me. But Jake’s face, pinched in pain, did. He sat a foot away on the other side, holding his chest with one hand and propping himself up with the other.
“Jake, what’s wrong?” What was terrifying my unconquerable boyfriend?
His eyes found mine, and his mouth opened and closed a few times without a sound.
“Jake?”
“I… don’t think I can make it, Maddy.”
“Don’t you give up on me now, Jake. You promised forever, remember?” Tears rose to my eyes, and my voice thickened. “Don’t. You promised. I promised! I won’t leave you alone in this place!” I pulled the heel of my hand across my face.
He rose, holding my gaze. “You trust me, right?”
My heart tightened. When I lost my parents, he’d been my rock, never once leaving my side when I needed him. I’d always trust him.
Once more he slid his hand through the veil. Without a second thought, I linked my fingers through his.
And he pulled me through.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Wait, what? What did Jake find on the other side that made him want to move his life there?
He wanted to return, but as he crossed the divide his heart began and stopped. He recognized that he might not survive the crossover. That is his biggest reason to stay.
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Nice, doors work both ways. I like the ending.
Love it! Nice twist at the end!