Chapter Thirty-Four

I sat with Jason partially in my lap. His head rested against my chest as I cradled his body in my arms. His legs were stretched outward over the slowly melting ice. I pressed my lips to the top of his head, tears flowing from my eyes at a steady rate. I sniffled, tucking his hair behind his ear. We had sat like this for a long time and I was beginning to think that I was about to lose him. The otter laid by Jason's legs quietly.

"Jay." I wept. "Please come back to me. I can't go on without you. I don't want to." My voice wavered and the otter looked up. "We still have to get married. We still need to have little babies and teach them how to swim. We need to grow old together. Don't leave me, Jay." I held him close.

"Don't leave me. Please." I rocked back and forth, sobbing like a baby. I looked up at the sky. "What do I do? How do I help him? Please, someone. Help me!" I begged the sky. I looked back to Jason, checking his pulse. I choked on my breath as I tried to feel a beat. Holding my breath, I waited. The otter scampered over, placing an ear to his chest. She looked at me with sorrowful eyes. I felt like everything inside me shatter like glass. A howl came from me, but I didn't feel it. I only heard the pitiful cry as the skies rapidly darkened, making me look up. I hugged Jason's body tightly, wailing as pain filled my heart. Not only had my fiancé died, but my best friend was gone, too. Rain downpoured on and around us for miles. Lightning flashed across the sky as pain filled every inch of me. It was as if someone had drilled holes in my heart before ripping it out in front of my eyes. The otter whimpered as I sobbed, clinging to Jason's lifeless body. How was I going to live my life without him? He had been by my side for four years. We had done everything we could together as friends and had just started our life as high school graduates. We had just gotten engaged. What was I supposed to do now? Lightning cracked violently above us, but I didn't move. I continued to hold him, not wanting to let go. A burning sensation entered my body suddenly as if someone had electrocuted me. My gaze snapped up to the sky as I sat straight, screaming. I could see the white bolt of light mixed with bands of blue striking me, blinding my eyes as I looked straight into it. If Jason was leaving this world then I wanted to leave as well. Was this my end? Would the pain in my heart stop or would I live on with it festering in my heart forever? In the light, I could see all of our great moments together. When we met, when we became friends, the first time we hung out together. It was like I was looking in from the outside through someone else's eyes. Every memory played out in the light before it faded. I stared up at the clouds and rain, not caring that the drops fell into my wide eyes. At least I wasn't crying alone. I had the sky to keep me company.