Soul

by Dave Blackwell

  “What is wrong?” Marie asked.

  “I found out I had cancer in the sixty-four.” He coughed. “It was aggressive and spread to most of my organs and there was nothing to be done. I accepted this, however Kimimela found out and cured me against my wishes.”

  “She loves you.” Marie defended her.

  “I understand that.” Jackson forced a smile. “I have lived a long life and I am tired.”

  “Elizabeth?” Marie asked.

  “She feels the same.” Jackson stood up, breathing deeply.

  The dog barked and he looked at the girl, playing in the lake.

  “Is that Kimimela?” Marie asked.

  Jackson looked at Marie in confusion and shook his head.

  “No. She is with you.” Jackson said. “The dog is mine.”

  “No, she was already here.” Marie looked at the girl and then back at Jackson. “She isn’t with me.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Jackson said. “I have never seen her before in my life.”

  “I don’t know her.” Marie said.

  “Where are we?” Marie looked out to the lake, the sun glistening off the surface. “It is amazing.”

  “Yosemite national park.” Jackson smiled. “I have brought Kimimela here so many times. This tree fell back in the nineteen forties. Kimimela fell from it several years before and broke her leg.” Jackson laughed.

  “Why is that funny?” Marie couldn’t understand why he was laughing.

  “Well you know Kimimela. Her leg healed within minutes.” Jackson said. “So, she was back up climbing it shortly after.”

  “Why won’t you let her heal you?” Marie changed the subject. “She needs you.”

  Jackson sighed.

  “I am tired.” Jackson groaned. “Kimimela needs to move on and make a fresh start.”

  “I cannot change your mind?” Marie asked.

  Jackson shook his head.

  “We have made up our minds.” Jackson said softly. “Elizabeth and I want to die.”

  “You both have time surely?” Marie said. “It is not like you are going anywhere anytime soon?”

  “We have already planned it.” Jackson groaned. “As harsh as it is, it is the only way.”

  “I don’t understand.” Marie said.

  “We are going to die today.” Jackson said.

  The dog barked and Marie looked at the edge of the lake where the girl had been, she was now gone and an elderly woman stood in her place, standing in the water.

  “Who is that?” Marie turned to Jackson who had disappeared. “Jackson?” She looked around in panic. “Where are you?”

  Jackson was nowhere to be seen. Marie muttered and made her way towards the elderly lady.

  “Hi.” She said. “Do you know where Jackson went?” Marie stopped when she recognised the woman.

  “Hello Marie.” The woman said with a smiled. “I was waiting for you.”

  “You are Kimimela’s grandmother?” She scoffed. “You speak English?”

  The woman shook her head and chuckled softly.

  “Everyone speaks the same language here.” The woman responded. “Thank you for protecting Kimimela.”

  “This isn’t real.” Marie scoffed.

  “What is real?” The woman said. “This is a place that is hard to explain. A place of memories. A place of love. Dreams. Fears.” The woman placed her hand on her chest. “This is the soul.”

  Marie saw the little girl running along the edge of the lake further down.

  “That girl.” Marie pointed.

  The woman turned and smiled, waving at the girl who waved back.

  “Yes?” The woman said.

  “Who is she?” Marie asked.

  “Alison.” The woman responded.

  “Alison?” Marie was confused. “Is that one of Kimimela’s lives?”

  The woman chuckled and shook her head.

  “You have seen the lives of Kimimela, from the moment she got her gift from us.” The woman explained. “This girl is not of Kimimela.”

  “Then who is she?” Marie asked.

  “She is yours.” The woman said.

  “I never had children.” Marie responded. “I couldn’t.”

  “You were with child when you were shot.” The woman said.

  Marie gasped.

  “I cannot believe I forgot.” Tears welled in her eyes. “We never knew if it was a boy or girl, it was too early to tell.”

  The woman smiled.

  “I was going to name her Alison after my mother.” Marie cried, tears running down her face. “Why did I forget.”

  The woman got hold of Marie, hugging her.

  “She lived on in your dreams.” The woman said. “She lives here now.”

  Marie broke away and wiped her face.

  Alison jumped around in the water with the dog, screaming in glee and giggling. He white dress was wet and her hair, tied up at the back wet against it.

  “Alison.” Marie said softly.

  “Hi.” Alison waved.

  The dog sat in the water and barked at Marie.

  “He said hi too.” The girl smiled. “What’s your name?”

  Marie cried, wiping the tears and trying to speak. Alison walked up to her, sadness in her face. Marie dropped to her knees.

  “I am sorry.” Marie sobbed. “I’m so sorry I forgot.” She cried.

  Alison threw her arms around Marie and rested her head against her chest.

  “You never forgot.” She whispered. “Not deep down.”

  “I suppose I didn’t.” Marie sniffed.

  “I always see you when you sleep.” Alison giggled. “We always play and swim.”

  “That is amazing.” Marie smiled and wiped her eyes.

  “You need to wake up now.” Alison said. “Kimimela needs you.”

  “Why?” Marie asked.

  “Jackson and Elizabeth.” The old woman said. “They need you now.”

  Marie stood up.

  “What do I do?” She asked the woman.

  “They have given so much to Kimimela.” The woman said. “But they need to move on and someone else is to take over.”

  “Wait I need to ask something.” Kimimela said. “What happened to Kimimela’s mother?”

  The old lady smiled and shook her head.

  “We do not know.” The woman said. “Kimimela was found in a cabin, crying and alone. My son could not leave her alone and brought her back to us and we took her in as one of our own.”

  “And the gift?” Marie asked.

  “The gift came from us.” The woman smiled.

  Marie looked around at Alison, only to find she and the dog had gone.

  “Where is she?” Marie turned and realised the woman had gone to and she was alone. “Hello?”

  The large room had an old four-poster bed at the centre up against the wall. The polished wood flooring was out of place with the white walls and ceiling. Either side of the bed was a small cabinet with an antique lamp on it. A blind covered the large window, blocking out the sun.

  Jackson lay in the bed wearing an old grey suit. His head and face are clean-shaven. He was pale and his breathing laboured.

  Elizabeth lay next to him, she wore a cream coloured nightgown, her hair tied back.

  “I have made up my mind.” Jackson said weakly. “I wish to die.”

  Elizabeth wiped the tears from her face and smiled through a stifled sob.

  “Don’t cry.” Jackson said softly.

  “I love you Jackson.” Elizabeth groaned.

  “I love you too Elizabeth.” Jackson breathed in sharply, groaning and holding his chest.

  There is a knock at the door.

  “Yes?” Elizabeth said.

  Kimimela slowly opened the door and walked in, her eyes red and wet from crying.

  “Thank you for seeing us.” Elizabeth smiled.

  “Is there any way I can talk you out of doing this?” Kimimela whispered.

  Jackson groaned.
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  “Look at him.” Elizabeth said. “He is tired, we both are.”

  “I cannot kill you.” Kimimela sat on the edge of the bed, crying. “Please.”

  “We know.” Elizabeth said. “We are not asking you to.”

  “We want you to promise.” Jackson struggled to speak. “Promise to let us go.”

  “We talked about this last night Kimimela.” Elizabeth reached into the bedside cabinet and pulled out a knife. A six-inch polished blade with a wooden handle. She placed it on the bed between them.

  “Jackson and I would not change anything, and you know that.” She smiled. “We both love you and always will.”

  “Kimimela.” Jackson said softly. “Come here.”

  Kimimela got down on her knees next to Jackson.

  “Do you remember when I found out that I was sick.” Jackson said.

  Kimimela nodded.

  “We spent the next day at the coast after you healed me.” Jackson coughed.

  “I remember.” Kimimela said.

  “What did I ask of you?” Jackson said.

  “That when the time comes to honour your wish.” Kimimela cried.

  “That time is here.” Jackson groaned.

  “Everything has been arranged.” Elizabeth smiled and placed her hand in Jacksons. “We have closed everything and cut all ties. A letter has been left with Marie, you need to leave this place and start again.”

  “I don’t want to do this without you.” Kimimela struggled to speak through the sobs.

  “We have lived long enough. The gift was not ours.” Elizabeth picked up the knife. “It was yours.”

  “I want to stay.” Kimimela said. “I want to watch you both go.”

  “You will not like it.” Elizabeth warned.

  “Please.” Kimimela begged.

  Elizabeth looked at Jackson who nodded.

  “Only if you promise.” Elizabeth asked. “Not to give us any more of your gift.”

  Kimimela sobbed and nodded.

  “Please say it.” Elizabeth asked.

  “I promise.” She cried. “I love you both.”

  “We love you more than you will ever know.” Elizabeth said. “Give me a kiss and hug.”

  Kimimela got up from the floor and bent over Jackson, hugging him and kissing him on the forehead.

  “I love you father.” She cried. She then walked around the opposite side and looked at Elizabeth before hugging her and kissing her. “And you Mother.”

  “Marie will be there for you.” A tear ran down Elizabeth’s face. “She is your family and she is aware of everything about you and your story.”

  Kimimela wiped the tears from her face and walked to the window, looking through the slats.

  “We are ready.” Elizabeth said.

  “Goodbye.” Kimimela said, closing her eyes.

  Elizabeth gripped the knife and placed it on Jackson's chest over his heart.

  “See you soon.” Elizabeth moaned and pushed the knife into his chest.

  Jackson groaned and shuddered, looking at Elizabeth as she pulled the knife out, watching the blood flow from him. She looked into his eyes and kissed him on the lips, feeling his last breath against her face.

  Elizabeth laid on her back, getting as close to Jackson as she could.

  “Be happy Kimimela.” She said and closed her eyes, plunging the knife into her chest. She groaned and pulled it free, feeling the blood oozing from her. Sighing deeply, she closed her eyes.

  Kimimela gasped, opened her eyes and turned around. She approached the edge of the bed and groaned at the bloody sight of Jackson and Elizabeth.

  “Goodbye.” She sobbed and walked to the door and paused. After a few seconds she turned and hurriedly ran to Elizabeth’s side. “I am sorry.”

  As she reached for Elizabeth’s hand, her eyes shot open and Elizabeth grabbed her by the wrist.

  “You promised.” Elizabeth rasped and without warning plunged the knife into Kimimela’s throat.

  “No.” Kimimela begged and tried to break free.

  “This is the only way.” She groaned and placed Kimimela’s hand on her chest and grabbed Jackson's hand with her other.

  Kimimela grabbed her throat and tried to stem the blood that flowed from the wound and her mouth. She gurgled and growled softly.

  Elizabeth began to groan and convulse as she turned her head to Jackson.

  Kimimela threw her head back and screamed, a rasping and gurgled scream as blood gushed from her throat and mouth.

  Marie looked out into the lake with the dog sat next to her.

  “Where did everyone go?” Marie said to herself and looked at the dog which whined. “Don’t worry I wasn’t asking you.” She smiled and stroked the dog.”

  “I thank you for looking after my dog.” Jackson's voice startled her. “Hello.”

  Marie stood up.

  Jackson and Elizabeth stood in front of her, holding hands. They wore the same bloodstained clothes that they died in.

  “Hey.” Marie noticed the blood and groaned. “What is going on?”

  “It is done.” Elizabeth said. “Not quite to plan but it is done.”

  Jackson shook his head and looked down at the ground.

  “What do you mean it didn’t go to plan?” Marie asked.

  “Kimimela made us a promise. However, tried to break it after we took our lives.” Elizabeth explained.

  “We knew it would happen, so we had a backup plan in place of this.” Jackson said. “We injured her enough to endanger her.”

  “I don’t understand.” Marie said.

  “I stabbed her and placed her hand upon my chest.” Elizabeth sobbed.

  “It was the only way.” Jackson said consoling her.

  “Like the night she was shot?” Marie said. “Is she alive?”

  Jackson nodded.

  “She is alive.” Jackson smiled. “You will know what to do when you see her.”

  “What if I don’t?” Marie said panicking. “I don’t know how to deal with this gift.”

  “It will come to you in time, just wait until she is older.” Elizabeth said. “The choice will be yours to tell her who she is.”

  “When you are ready, just say her true name.” Jackson said. “We thank you.”

  Elizabeth and Jackson turned, walking towards the forest. The dog barked and followed.

  “Wait.” Marie said. “How do I wake up?”

  “Dive into the lake.” Jackson called out. “Worked for me.”

  Marie stood at the edge of the lake, looking into the clear water at her reflection. Taking a deep breath, she dived and swam to the bottom, touching the ground before swimming to the surface.

  Marie woke in the bath, coughing and choking. After a few seconds she sat up, looking around.

  “Catherine’s bath.” She said to herself.

  There was a bathrobe draped over the end of the bath with a letter on it.

  Marie slowly and weakly climbed from the bath, picking up the letter and bathrobe. She pulled it on and placed the letter in her pocket, walking over to the washbasin she ran the cold tap, gently drinking a few mouthfuls of water and sighing in relief.

  She turned the tap off when she heard something, a cry.

  “Hello?” She said. “Who is here?”

  No answer.

  Marie gently opened the door and looked out into the hall when the cold hit her causing her to shiver.

  “Jesus!” She groaned.

  The babies cry came from the far end of the corridor.

  “Someone got a baby?” Marie called out. “Hello?”

  Marie made her way to the end of the corridor, approaching the door.

  Listening, she then knocked.

  No answer.

  Marie turned the handle and walked into the room.

  She noticed the bodies of Jackson and Elizabeth first, their skin pale and brittle, almost as if they were made of stone. The air was dusty and smelt of smoke.

  “What the hell?” Mar
ie opened the blind, letting the light flood in.

  A cry came from the centre of the bed, covered in clothing. Marie could see something moving.

  “No.” She whispered and carefully began moving the clothing.

  The baby girl lay covered in blood, her face red and wet from crying.

  “Who are you?” Marie said, bending down and picking up the girl, cradling her.

  The girl stopped crying and looked at Marie.

  Marie looked her over and noticed the birthmark.

  “Oh no.” She said, remembering she couldn’t use her true name. “Hello Anna.” She whispered and kissed the girl on the cheek. “Let me just check something.”

  Marie placed the girl back onto the bed and walked round to Jackson, as she reached forward to touch him, his body began to crumble into dust. The same happened with Elizabeth.

  “Goodbye.” Marie said. “I will look after her.”

  Marie wrapped a t-shirt around the girl and picked her up, taking one last look at the bed she then left the room, making her way down into the kitchen.

  Bill sat at the table, a mug of coffee in one hand and a mobile phone in the other. He looked up and put them both down when Marie walked down the steps.

  “Dad.” Marie said.

  “It’s fine, you don’t need to say anything.” Bill stood up. “I know everything.”

  “How?” Marie asked.

  “Jackson.” Bill reached out to take the baby from her, Marie smiled and carefully handed her over to him. “After the girl saved you, Jackson contacted me and explained everything. I thought it was a scam, but Sophie told me what happened. When I came here, the girl fixed my hips. Jackson then showed me something like a dream.” Bill sighed. “It was all a little too much.”

  “Sophie?” Marie asked. “How is she?”

  “She is fine. They are letting her out tomorrow.” Bill said, looking down at the girl and smiling. “Jackson and Elizabeth?” He asked.

  “Gone.” Marie said. “They took their own lives.”

  “Jackson told me what he planned to do.” Bill said. “He knew that the girl would try and cure them.”

  “They were with her from the start.” Marie sat down and groaned. “It is all she has known.”

  “I know.” Bill smiled. “Did you agree?”

  “To what?” Marie was confused.