by Joe DeRouen
Completely baffled, Kelsey slipped into her winter boots, grabbed her coat, and ran out of the front door. She needed to find some answers.
Kelsey must have flown down the six blocks to the museum, because by the time she reached the top, she was gasping for air. Still, she looked around for clues…anything that would give her some answers. She ran from one edge to the other. She even forced herself to look over the ledge to see if there was anything on the cement ground, couple of hundred feet below her.
“What is going on?” Kelsey screamed.
Frustrated, she sat down, leaning her back against the statue of the gargoyle. She was positive she had jumped. She should have died. But somehow, she was still here, breathing, and very much alive. Releasing a deep sigh, she contemplated how she could have possibly survived that fall. And the most confusing part of it all was she had no recollection. Her only memory was actually taking that leap.
She was supposed to end it all tonight. She was so ready. But, for some reason, it didn’t happen. Some phenomenon, more powerful than she could possibly comprehend, had somehow intervened. It made no sense at all, but the bottom line was, miraculously, she was still alive.
Maybe she was supposed to live. Maybe she was alive for a reason. Maybe she was supposed to do more. She didn’t have any answers, but suddenly, she knew that Damien’s words were right.
Yes, she would always grieve losing her family. This was not what they would want from her, though. They would want her to be strong and to live.
“Mom, I am so sorry I didn’t stay home that night. I’ll never know if I could have saved you guys from that fire. I guess I’ll have to live with that the rest of my life. Ryan and Tori, I miss you guys so much. Just know, I always loved you guys and always will. Please forgive me.” The tears rolled down her face as she tried to find her closure. “I am letting you guys go now. Don’t worry about me anymore. I will be okay. I promise I will take better care of myself. One day, we’ll meet again. But it’s not today. You will all always be in my heart. Be happy and at peace, my beautiful family.”
Wiping her tears, Kelsey stood back up. She could feel the strength within her. She felt different and more optimistic.
Staring up at the gargoyle, Kelsey said, “Well, Mr. Gargoyle, I have no idea what actually occurred tonight. You probably witnessed it all.”
Kelsey reached to touch his lifeless hand. That’s when she saw it. There was a stone ring on his finger. Although Kelsey couldn’t see the design on it too clearly, it had the same unique look about it as the one that Damien was wearing. She caressed the ring, wondering if she was completely losing her mind.
Shaking her head, Kelsey smiled. “Okay, I have to get a grip here. My mind is playing tricks on me. I’ll see you around, Mr. Gargoyle.”
Kelsey held her coat tighter and strolled away from the statue, toward the stairs. This time, she didn’t leave with a heavy heart. This time, she left with a smile.
No, she didn’t have all of the answers. But, she was alive for a reason, and she was determined to find her fate.
After all, her future awaited.
About the Author
Jalpa Williby is an international award-winning and best-selling author of Chaysing Dreams, Chaysing Memories, and Chaysing Destiny. She recently released My Perfect Imperfections, which is already receiving rave reviews. Although she loves losing herself in her fictional world, the author lives her own happily ever after with her husband, three children, two cats, and her beautiful puppy.
To find out more about Jalpa Williby and her works, please visit her website: http://jalpawilliby.com/
Acknowledgements
Kind thanks to all the authors who participated in this anthology.
Special mentions go to Joe DeRouen, who provided initial organization, Heather Osborne for editing, cover design, and formatting, and Angie Martin for formatting.
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