Last Words

• Jasmine Hartley, Grade 8
• Short Story
• 2018

She just stood there on the edge of the large cliff, the sun setting as she looked down at the giant drop below her; wondering if she could step off.
I was just a metre behind her, watching her. She, of course, knew I was there. She glanced over at me, eyes sparkling with fresh tears that were soon to dribble down her cheek. Her hair, brunette mixed with a little bit of gold, followed the path of the wind, along with her light dress, patterned with crosshatch. She looked down again, and back over to me. I stared into her sad, green eyes.
“I want to help you.” I whispered, nearing closer. She turned away, saddened.
“You can’t.” She smiled. “I’ll be safer there.” There was rings under her eyes; streaks from the tears. She turned back to the cliff, and her eyes moved toward the darkness at the bottom of the crevasse.
Without looking back, she stepped off the rocky mass and fell down into the crevasse. I could hear her echoing screams, but I realised they were mine.
I loved her.
With all my might, I ran toward the edge, and fell with her.

I survived the fall with injuries- but her; she was gone to a better place. A world that wasn’t as cold and cruel as ours; a place that she wouldn’t fall deep into unhappiness.
She was safer there.