The Hereafter by Jessica Bucher

Author:Jessica Bucher
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jessica Bucher

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Nin

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At first glance, it appeared to only be a mild waterfall on a crystal clear lake surrounded by a grassy, mountainous valley. They swam through the shallow lake toward the waterfall, and when Dylan pulled her along the edge, she saw the hidden cave he was headed for. The rocky floor came up to meet their feet as they pushed through the falling water, and Nin gasped at the sight from under the rocks.

The sun dazzled through the watery window, painting a dance of blue and green on the walls of the cave. It was the most beautiful scene she had ever seen. When she looked to Dylan, he beamed. She knew this was for her. When they met that morning, he seemed lighter than the night before, but there was still tension between them. So, when he told her he had a surprise for her, she acquiesced, still harboring guilt.

Dylan reached his hand out, letting the water rush over his fingers. When he pulled his hand back, the water returned to its original shape, like a shimmering window. There was a playfulness in his eyes.

She could see him blossoming. There was hardly a trace of the brooding melancholy boy she met all those days ago on the beach. He was brighter, warmer, and happier. And he radiated all of that warmth to her. Every touch and smile and sweet word he spoke was a warm current she longed to drown in.

In the corner of her eye, Nin spotted movement on the rocks. She shrieked and jumped onto Dylan, clinging to his back like a child.

"It's just a crab," he teased. "I thought you wanted to be a marine scientist."

"I did, but crabs are just giant water spiders. They creep me out."

She linked her legs around him, holding tight to his back. Their faces and bodies were blue in the reflection of the water. She pressed her cheek against his, and softly kissed the soft space under his left ear.

"How did you know about this place?" she asked.

"Just a hunch," he smirked.

She climbed off of his back and walked toward the falling water and turned her head under it like it was a shower. The water was cold, but not too cold. It was a refreshing and welcome cool from the hot summer's day.

Pushing her hand all the way through the wall of water, she could feel the sun warm her hand on the other side. She thought about the memories and the way they moved through life and death as if they were only separated by a wall as penetrable as this watery curtain. It was only an illusion. There was no wall at all.

She considered at that moment telling Dylan about the incident at her father's studio with the paint can she knocked over. But, what could he do with that information, and what did it even mean? Could they make contact? Not only with the living, but also with the past? It seemed

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