Ever's Judgment: A Short Story

Chapter One

The Invisible Girl

Every morning, Ever Grace Henry walked the halls of her high school to glimpse Peter Gordon, her long time crush, but this morning was different. Different because she had no clue how she got to school this morning, nor could she recall what happened the night before. Something was missing. She walked down the long corridor in a daze. She didn't know what to expect. She wasn't in control of her steps.

Soon, she was in her first period class. A bundle of nerves surrounded her, and numb in anticipation of something she wasn't aware of. The classroom filled and everyone took their seats when the last bell rang. The class became quiet, and the students whispered amongst each other. What happened last night? Why couldn't she remember?

Peter walked into the classroom five minutes late and looked like hell warmed over. Both observances were out of character for him. Usually well-groomed and always had a smile on his face. But not this morning. This worried her. He took a seat next to her but didn't glance her way. In fact, no one acknowledged her, so she sat in uncomfortable silence, and listened to the teacher give his lecture.

Unable to concentrate on anything he said, her mind swirled over the worst-case scenarios. Did someone die? She took inventory of the room. All seats were full, so she assumed that everyone in her class was accounted for. The rest of the day was the same. Everyone was present. So why the doom and gloom vibe? She tried to talk to her best friends, Julie and Tom, but they ignored her as if she weren't there. Tears of frustration welled up and spilled down her cheeks. Whatever happened the night before had people ignoring her.

Ever skipped her last class, too emotional to endure another minute at school. She walked home instead of drive. She must have walked to school since her car was not in the student parking lot. The walk took a good thirty minutes. She lived in a small non-descriptor town. It was a place people just passed through to get to somewhere more important, where everywhere in town was within walking distance.

Fall was in the air. The leaves of the trees were already turning crimson, orange, and gold. Fall signaled change. The season was aging to make room for something new. An eerie vibe blew in the breeze. A change was coming, and she wasn't sure it was going to be a pleasant change. Doom and gloom hung on her shoulders and she didn't have a valid reason for thinking this way other than that everyone acted so strange.

Ever put her head down and wracked her brain about the events of yesterday. There were no odd occurrences that would make the students ignore her or to cast this eerie vibe on everything. It had been a typical Sunday.

She had hung out with her friends at the lake. Julie and Tom had invited Peter. She remembered how nervous she had been. Julie and Tom knew Ever had a huge crush on him. Only when Ever tried to remember what happened later in the evening, her mind went blank. Her high school crush hung out with her and her best friends, so why would she remember nothing of the experience? She had fantasized for a long time at what it would be like to hang out with Peter, so her frustration was natural.

When she glanced up after watching her feet tread the gravel and pavement walkways, it surprised her to find she stood on the front doorstep to her home. Her mind had been so preoccupied, she lost track of time. It seemed like it took her only a minute to get home. The front door stood ajar, so she stepped inside. As she was about to close it, she heard deep sobs from her mother, who was curled in a ball on the couch, watching the news.

"Are you okay, Momma?" Ever hadn't called her momma since she was a child. It seemed childish to speak of that endearment once she became a teenager but something emotional sparked in her. The way her mom seemed to be in a deep pit of despair, so lost in her grief.

"No, no, no." Her mom chanted, not sounding like her usual peppy self. Ever sat on the edge of the couch until her mother fell into a deep sleep. She stood and left the room, leaving the television on for background noise. Upon entering her bedroom, Ever tied up her wavy honey blonde hair in a messy bun, exhaled and let the tears flow, then flopped on her bed, falling above the covers. Not caring about anything. She didn't want to look at anything but darkness. This was the eeriest and most disturbing day she ever recalled having. It was her senior year. Things were to be perfect, right? Nothing about this day made any sense. She could not confide in her sister. Her older sister, Susan, had left for boot camp a few weeks ago and her father was an airline pilot and wouldn't be home for a few more days.

Perhaps Mom had a bad day too? With Susan being gone, Mom had frequent breakdowns. Yet this one seemed different. Something about today didn't add up.

Dark shadows elongated as the sun made its descent, covering her room in darkness. Tears in her pillow became her friend today. And still questions swirled in Ever's dreams like a terrible nightmare. What in the hell happened?

***

Silhouettes moved before her as she made her way through dreamland and unable to make out any details. The silhouettes moved before her. Lots of flashing lights danced around. Then the sounds of crunching metal and screeching of something she didn't recognize screamed in her ears. Pain shot throughout her until there was nothing. And Ever wandered in the nothingness until she lost all time. A voice rang through her subconscious. "They will judge you. Discover what happened and it will set you free."

She forgot the words upon waking.

Chapter Two

The Ghosts

Ever never knew what hit her until she opened her eyes and came face to face with the metal door of a school locker. What the...?

She was at the school again, and it was morning outside. Her head pounded with a massive migraine. She'd never experienced one before, and this was a whopper. She wasn't sleeping and frustrated beyond belief. As she rubbed her nose, the locker door closed, and she found that Peter was on the other side. This was Peter's locker. Again, how did she get here? Ever glanced around in a confused state. Her eyes snapped to Peter's profile. His eyes were down and there were dark circles underneath. She wanted to console him. He looked so tired, so sad, and weary.

"Peter," she pleaded, "talk to me, please. Tell me what happened."

Peter's shoulders sagged, yet he still didn't look at her. Didn't turn to acknowledge her. He sighed, then turned to walk away. Students began entering the classrooms. Ever was about to follow Peter, but something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. Peter still ignored her, and she didn't want to bug him anymore. Her head jerked to where she was the movement and suddenly the hallway was empty of people. She hugged her arms to her body as the temperature dropped and she saw her breath, which made her headache worse and it became difficult to focus. The lights flickered off then on and continued to do so. A child's giggle echoed through the hall. A little girl dashed from behind a locker and ran down the hall. Ever followed. She didn't believe she could concentrate on her classes, anyway.

Besides, everyone still ignored her. She dashed after the child to catch up and to find out where the girl had gone. Was the girl leading Ever somewhere? The hallway turned into a long, dark corridor that seemed to go on forever. She ran yet never caught up to the girl. Then darkness surrounded her and she couldn't see her hand in front of her face.

"Hello!" she shouted. Her voice echoed into the nothingness. What was happening to her? Was she still asleep? If so, she needed to wake up from this nightmare. Screams and cries assaulted her ears. Invisible hands grabbed her, tugging and pulling. She screamed in fear and tried to release herself from their grasp.

"It's your fault." The voices cried in unison, sounding strange and garbled. How many voices were there? "It's all your fault."

She wasn't sure how, but she wiggled her way out. Ever didn't know which way to run, so she took off in any direction that didn't involve those voices or invisible hands. They said it was her fault. What was her fault? She still didn't remember what happened and still far away from the truth. Are all the strange things happening all connected?

Adrenaline kept her running, and she found she wasn't out of breath. So she pushed herself further. Her mind kept going back to her friends as she struggled to find the meaning to it all. Tears flowed down her cheeks. Nothing made sense. Soon light surrounded her, and she found herself back in the school hallway again. She saw her three friends huddled together, crying, consoling each other as the other classmates filled the halls.

Then something unusual happened. Five shadows formed around her friends in a circle. There were three little children: two girls and a little boy, only three, a man, and a woman. The morbid family had gray, shriveled skin. They appeared to have drowned. A memory flashed in her mind, but it fled before she made any sense of it. They smiled at her, then vanished.

This loop went on for what felt like decades. Ever would wake up at the school to find her grieving friends, then tormented by a family of five, and then going home to find her mother grieving. She never had a clue to what happened and doesn't remember why she was going through this. What was this place she was in and how does she get out? Loneliness filled her days, and they all blended in to one continuous nightmare.

Whenever she saw her mom, she always in an inconsolable state. Ever had no way to console anyone. No way to tell them she was still here because she had concluded that she was invisible to everyone. She didn't think she was dead, but she didn't believe she was alive either. Whatever happened on that day left her in limbo. She had always done the right things. Did what she was told. Never got into any trouble. Received good grades. Yet she couldn't figure out what happened.

Perhaps searching for clues would be a great place to begin? Each day brought her back to the school. The morbid family of five who appeared to want to keep her in a constant state of fear. There was no one for Ever to turn to for help. No one to answer her questions. Perhaps instead of living day to day in confusion and fear, she would try to get attention. If she was correct, and she was a ghost, and if any scary ghost movie taught her anything, she should be able to make her presence known. Only how would she do this?

That evening, as she watched her mother grieve, she decided she wouldn't use her mother as a test subject. Chances were high that her mother grieved for her and for a moment, Ever's extreme grief for her family almost had her on her knees. For the life she would never get to live. To never experience graduating high school or falling in love. If Ever was going to find out what happened, and what was going on with her, she needed to be strong.

Tomorrow, she would get answers. Even if she had to possess everyone to get what she needed.

Chapter Three

Getting Attention

Ever stood in the hallway of her high school the next day. She noticed that every day she wore the same clothes and found that everyone still didn't realize she was there. Ever gravitated toward her three friends who always were together. Peter never hung out with them before. Not that they weren't friends, they just walked in different circles.

Until now. She would find out why. She took the chance to reach out and touch Julie. They had been friends since the second grade. Both their families were close. People thought that Ever and Julie were sisters as they had similar wavy honey blonde hair and brown eyes. Although Julie's hair was a little darker. Plus, they are almost the same height. Julie was only one centimeter taller. They measured each other one day after a friendly disagreement.

When Ever's hand touched Julie's bare arm, nothing happened. Julie gave Tom a weak smile, then headed off to her first period class. The need to console her best friend was strong. She moved to Tom and touched his shoulder. They had only been friends since freshmen year and now, being in their last year of high school, she wouldn't graduate with him or with Julie or with Peter. Tom didn't flinch or do anything with Ever's touch and thought this wouldn't work. She had always been nervous around Peter, so touching him made her apprehensive. When Tom walked away, she stayed with Peter, observing him, and followed him to his first period class, which they had together.

She took her usual desk, since no one sat in it because something must have happened to her. Peter sat at his desk. Instead of listening to the teacher begin the lesson, Ever studied Peter. What would happen should she touch him? Would he feel it? What if he did? What if he didn't? What would that signify? They had no romantic connection, but then she didn't remember what had happened on that last day at the river.

Still, she followed him to the next class and the next. Each passing class, she caught glimpses of the morbid children and their parents. With each passing class, the family became more intrusive. As she sat in the last period class, knowing and expecting the next part of her day would be to watch her mother grieve before going to sleep and waking up at the school again. This is how it had been for her for months now. The lights flickered off, then on. No one noticed.

The corners of the room grew dark and the darkness spread. Shadows moved, hiding behind students like a peculiar game of hide and seek. She gripped the sides of the desk. Her knuckles grew white from tension. Every time they came around, the little hairs on her body stood and her nerves burned with fear. The children were creepier than their parents, and each time she saw them, their flesh was more decayed. Their skin pastier and shriveled than before.

The children slinked from student to student, edging closer to her. Their parents stood in the corners of the front of the room where the teacher continued to lecture with no clue what was happening around him and blended into the shadows. The only thing she could make out was their silhouette and their beady gaze that was blacker than the shadows. Their eyes bore into her, turning her blood to ice. She fought the urge to scream. The live bodies in the classroom stared at the teacher, not aware of what was happening around them. Ever knew there was nothing she could do. These evil beings appeared to be after her for whatever reason. Even if she screamed and she tried with all her might not to, no one would hear her, anyway. No one would help her.

She glanced around, sweat beading on her forehead. How could she get out of this? Glancing at Peter's profile, he appeared as if he was dozing off. The creatures inched toward her, and her fingers hurt as she gripped the sides of the desk tighter. The family only tortured her for about an hour a day. Usually around the same time.

Instinctually, she reached out and grabbed the sleeve of Peter's left arm. He didn't flinch. The children came closer and closer. She froze in her seat, tired of being tormented. What would they do to her today should they reach her? She didn't understand this game they seemed to play with her. The children's morbid game of hide and seek. The parents in the corners of the room, unmoving, watching her with their judgmental glare. Darkness moved in and the room became smaller. She still held onto Peter like he was a lifeline. Her hand moved down to his and when their flesh touched, he twitched.

Hope surged through her as he laced his fingers through hers. His body stiffened. When she glanced at his face, his eyes were wide open with fear and his complexion was as white as a ghost. Dare she whisper his name?

"Peter." She said. The name slipped past her lips in a terrified squeak. Peter's lips parted and trembled. She repeated, "Peter."

His hand jerked out of hers and he rubbed it with the other hand, "Ever?" he whispered.

He could hear her! Excitement coursed through her veins. By now, the darkness and the children were close enough to reach out to touch her.

"Peter, help me!" she screamed.

Peter jumped from his chair, knocking it over, and screamed. Darkness engulfed her as Peter ran from the classroom. Within moments, Ever stood in the locker lined hallway and found Peter leaning against them. He looked like he was going to be sick. She touched his shoulder, wanting to comfort him. He jerked and froze in place. Why could he feel her touch when her two best friends couldn't?

He jerked again as a shrieking noise slipped past his lips. "Please, Peter. Help me."

She needed to know what happened that day. She needed to know if she was dead or in a coma somewhere. Peter put his hands to his ears. He yelled. "What do you want from me?"

Ever didn't want to frighten him. She followed him into the bathroom. He could she make him see her? She focused and willed herself to calm. Closing her eyes, she breathed and heard the water in the sink and then heard splashing. When she opened her eyes, Peter was drying his face with a paper towel. Then he paused as he peered into the mirror and Ever then realized he could see her. She saw her reflection. He stared at her. She put a hand to her mouth. He saw her.

She wanted him to see her for so long, and now he gazed upon her with curiosity. "Ever?" His voice shook.

She nodded.

He reached out his hand to touch her and found her to be a solid form. Her eyes widened, as did his. She said, "You can see me?"

He nodded. His eyes were wide with fear. His voice a few octaves high. "You are standing here. How?"

The bathroom door opened, and a boy entered. She didn't know the boy's name, but recognized that he was a freshman. The boy gave Peter a strange glance, then entered a stall. So, only Peter could see her. He reached out and touched her cheek as the boy left the stall, quickly washed his hands and left in a hurry. Ever glanced at Peter and their eyes connected.

"You can see me." She repeated in a whisper, liking his touch.

"I can. But why?"

She shrugged. "I have no clue. What happened?"

"You don't know?"

"No, I don't."

"Not at all?"

"Nope."

"Ever." He grasped her hands in his and gazed into her eyes, tears welled in both. "We got in a wreck. You died."

Chapter Four

What Really Happened?

For reasons unknown to Ever, she linked herself to Peter now. That he could see her changed her daily nightmarish routine. She was thankful for not finding her mother grieving daily, thankful the morbid family didn't continue their torment on her. Thankful to not wake up in the school halls every morning. This morning Ever woke up in Peter's room. He was still asleep in bed. What day was it? Shouldn't he be awake by now for school?

Ever sat at the edge of his bed and scratched her head. Her days blended for so long now, she had no clue what day it was. She glanced at Peter as he slept and wondered if he dreamed? What do popular guys like him dream about, anyway? She scooted closer to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, then leaned in and breathed in his scent. She leaned in closer, close enough to kiss his cheek.

The warmth from his flesh and static against her lips made her senses come alive. If she were dead, how could she feel these things from him? Was it some residual memory she experienced? As she was about to place her lips against his cheek, he spoke her name and she paused as his lids opened and he gazed up at her with sleep filled emerald orbs. He didn't move, only gazed into her eyes. It was the more human connection she'd had in a long time, and this brought out emotions she hadn't experienced before.

"Am I dreaming?" he asked.

"I don't know," she answered in a whisper. He lifted his hand and grazed the side of her cheek.

"I can't believe you are here." He whispered.

"About that, I can't remember what happened."

"Is that why you haven't crossed over?"

She shrugged. "I went on for days, maybe months, thinking everyone was mad at me, that everyone ignored me. Is what happened my fault?"

"What happened is even foggy for me, but let me see if I can remember. Perhaps I can help you." He sat up. He was so close, she could put her arms around him, yet held back. They were face to face. "What do you remember?" He asked.

Her brows furrowed together as she tried to think. "The only think I remember was that you, Julie, Tom and I hung out at the lake, but that is all I can remember. I don't remember why we were there or how we got there or what happened at all. It's been so frustrating for me."

"We were just going to hang out, which we did. Yet when we were on our way home," he paused. His voice broke and tears welled up, then streamed down his cheeks. Images flashed through her mind and she tried to make sense of what she saw. It was a jumbled mess, like a big box of puzzle pieces, and all she needed to do was put the pieces back together. She closed her eyes as the scene sorted out. She remembered hanging out with them and building up the confidence to flirt with Peter.

By the evening, he had asked her out on a date and when she said yes; he had kissed her. It wasn't her first kiss, but this kiss was their first time and it made her toes curl. Then she was the one to drive them home. Oh god. She drove the car!

It was dark. She'd never driven in the dark before. It was Tom's car. He wanted Ever to drive so he could make out in the back seat with Julie. He had told her it would be good practice for her to drive at night. When she got behind the wheel, she was nervous, anxious, and Peter sat in the passenger's seat. Thankfully, the car was an automatic. She hadn't learned out to drive a stick shift. Her dad had wanted her to learn. To him, it was important. Now, she wished she had taken the time to let him teach her.

She remembered pulling out the parking space and heading down the road. The tall pine forest that lined both sides of the road appeared taller and menacing. Had it rained? She couldn't remember if the roads had been slick or not. And wasn't sure if there was a moon out. She remembered a lot of lights, but the memory was hazy. They were only on the road a few minutes when something jumped out in front of the car and swerved as another car came into view from the other lane. Ever continued to maneuver the car, but she hit a slick patch and the vehicle spun out of control.

Because of her inexperience at how to handle the situation, their car sideswiped the other car, which it spun into the lake. Their car continued to spin, and they screamed. Then all became silent when they hit a tree. When Ever came to, she caught the whiff of gasoline and panic flooded her. She needed to think fast and slipped out of the driver's seat.

First, she opened the back door behind the driver's seat, shook Tom and Julie, who had passed out. They exited the car and stumbled to the road. Then gone to the passenger's side where Peter struggled to get out of his seatbelt. Blood trickled down his face where he had hit his head on the dashboard. She opened the door and helped him out, following him to the road. Just then, a fire ignited in the car and it burst into flames.

Ever opened her eyes to find Peter gazing at her. He held her hand and said, "I don't understand something."

"What is it?" she answered.

"Ever," he sighed, "I don't know how you saved us. You never left the car and stuck in the driver's seat. The paramedics said you died on impact." Tears filmed his eyes.

She gasped and placed a hand on her lips. "How? What happened to that family?"

"I'm not sure. You saved us. How did you know about the family? The family in the car sunk to the bottom of the river and drowned."

"I remember nothing past saving you. The only reason I know about the family is that they have been tormenting me."

"Maybe that's nature's way of coping? To not remember details of your death?"

"That's deep, Peter."

"I had a traumatic experience. That's why I see dead people?" He cracked a joke.

"I'm so sorry." She said, her eyes downcast to stare at her shoes.

Peter tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. "For what?"

"For dying. Why am I still here?"

"I have no clue." He leaned in and kissed her cheek. She met him halfway, inexplicably drawn to him. Why did this have to happen now? She never had the chance to experience love. There are so many things she hadn't experienced. Now, because of a single accident, her life cut short as the age of seventeen. "Why haven't you crossed over?"

"I remember what happened now, so I don't know. I thought once I remembered, I could move on."

"I could help you?"

"How? I'm dead. You're alive."

"I guess we don't know a lot of things, so we can figure it out together."

"I'd like that a lot."

Peter pulled back his comforter and patted the mattress. "Come, lay next to me. Let's not worry about it now."

Ever's heart raced, and she complied to his request. She had never laid next to a guy like this before. Nestling beside him, she placed her head in the crook of his arm and closed her eyes, enjoying his warmth. How could she feel him when she was dead? His hand caressed her hair and the gentle strokes sent her into a deep sleep.

Chapter Five

Ever's Judgment

Her existence changed after that. Every morning when she awoke, Ever woke up in Peter's arms instead of at the school. Somehow she had attached herself to him and this was fantastic. Some days she'd follow him to school during the week and hung out with him on the weekends. The morbid family even stopped their torment. They had grown fond of each other during this time and still found nothing to help Ever cross over.

Wrapped in Peter's arms was more than she ever expected and discovered she was falling in love with him.

During the week, she followed him to all his classes but stayed in the back so she didn't distract him. Just because she was dead and he could see her, didn't mean she didn't want him to continue to learn. And she didn't want people to believe he was crazy. Her life was over, but his was only the beginning. She still couldn't believe this happened to her. Her heart became heavy and tears formed in her eyes. When she felt a hand on her shoulder, she opened them and with blurry vision she found Peter gazing down at her with love in his emerald eyes.

"Come on, Ever, let's get out of here."

Without saying a word, she grasped his outstretched hand and followed him out of the empty classroom.

"Where are we going?" She asked a few minutes later when they left the school grounds.

"It's a secret." He grinned.

"Normally, I like secrets, but lately, my stomach churns when I hear that word."

His smile faded, then returned and chuckled. It was a delightful sound. She hadn't heard him laugh in a while. "Okay then. I don't want you to leave, but I can't be selfish and keep you. It's not fair." He grasped her hand in his, weaved his fingers through hers and led her to his truck, opened the driver's side door, and she slipped in, sliding to the passenger's side. He hopped in and soon they were down the road in silence.

Nervous about where he was taking her, she picked at the fabric of the seat. Then noticed where he took her. The cemetery.

That's right, she would have had a funeral by now. She hadn't thought about that. Her body buried six feet under, yet she remained behind in spirit. Soon, they stood above her headstone. It was easy to find as it was the freshest graveside in the cemetery. It was also strange to see her name on it. The year of her birth. The date of her death. This was like a nightmare she couldn't get out of. Peter's movement startled her when his arm draped around her shoulder. He turned her to face him and drew her in his arms.

An elderly couple passed her by and gave him a strange glare.

When he pulled away, he took the warmth of his embrace. She wiped the tears away with her sleeve and took in her surroundings. That's when she saw them. The family. Yet they were different, normal. They stood around a large grave site just as fresh as hers, hand in hand. Ever wanted to go to them, but something held her back.

"Let's go, Ever."

"Where to next?"

"Where it all happened." Peter peered down into her delicate features, then touched her jawline. "I know this is difficult. But I imagine you haven't thought about going on this path before? Maybe this will help you to where you need to go?"

"Perhaps I needed to learn some lessons before I leave?"

"Maybe." They climbed back into his truck and headed to the scene of the accident. Nerves continued to flow through her veins as she took in the area. Skid marks were still clear on the asphalt. She saw where the car connected with the tree. The car was not there, but there were burn marks on the tree trunk and glass sprinkled on the ground. Another set of tire treads weaved a path to the lake and disappeared in the dark depths.

She peered into the water and what she saw caused a scream to rip passed her lips. What stared at her was the lifeless family, unmoving, and they all had glossy onyx orbs. On their faces, there was judgment. Guilt surfaced and her heart became heavy. Peter pulled her away and gathered her in his arms. "It wasn't your fault." He whispered in her ear.

"But it was. I was the one driving." She buried her face in his chest and let the tears fall. His arm moved, and she felt his hand on her chin, then he lifted her face. When her lids opened, Peter's face was so close, she only had to move an inch to kiss his lips. Yet something in the air changed and a brilliant white light surrounded them.

They continued to hold each other as the world around them disappeared. Then Peter vanished. "NO! NO!"

Ever panicked, grasping at air, desperate to keep Peter with her. Standing in complete nothingness, she didn't know what to do. Was this it? Was this the end of the road for her?

"Ever Grace Henry." A female voice echoed in her ears.

"Yes?" her voice quivered.

"This is your judgment. On one hand, you face an eternity in hell and on the other, an eternity in heaven. How do you plead?"

"What was my crime?"

"Your decision destroyed an innocent family, and yet you saved your friends. In extreme situations such as that, your motives were not unusual. Time is running short. How do you plead?"

Ever thought about it. She should say not guilty, but she felt guilt, and it weighed heavily on her shoulders. She deserved punishment. A mix of emotions ran its course through her spirit before she spoke. Then she spoke the word. "Guilty."

Silence surrounded her, then the female voice continued. "Is that your ultimate answer?"

Ever nodded, too afraid to speak.

"Interesting," the voice said. Just then figured moved in the light and the family of five stood before her. They were no longer creepy. They were beautiful and dressed in white.

Ever shook and crumbled to the floor on her knees. "I am so sorry. Please forgive me. I am so sorry." She repeated.

She felt a hand on her shoulder. The father spoke. "Please stand, child. We understand it was an accident. It was not your fault. You had no intentions of harming us."

"What is your verdict?" the female voice requested to the father.

The man stood back, glanced to his family, then back to Ever. "We have decided she is not guilty."

"It is the judgment of heaven and hell that you, Ever Grace Henry, are not guilty. Go to your eternal rest." The white surroundings turned to gray. The family faded.

Ever panicked and called out, "Wait! I need to do one more thing! Please let me say goodbye to Peter! Please!" She sobbed.

The scenery faded, and she stood in front of Peter. Shock was on his face and she smiled.

"Whoa! You just like materialized from out of nowhere."

"I have little time. I wanted to say thank you for helping me."

His hand lifted to touch the side of her face. "It's not fair," he said.

"I know." She put her arms around his shoulders. His arms wrapped around her waist. They held onto each other. Two souls connected yet divided by cruel fate.

"I gotta go now." She peered into his eyes. He lowered his head as he drew her in closer. His lips touched hers and they shared a sweet last kiss before she faded away. Her voice echoed in the air. "Thank you, Peter. Good bye."

"Goodbye, Ever." Peter said and knew then that she crossed over.

Ever found herself in a long dark tunnel with a light at the end. She walked towards the luminescence and into the arms of the family long since passed. Peter remained in her heart.

Ever's nightmare was over.

Other Works By Harmony Lawson

My Mechanical Angel

Skies of Heaven

Beyond Spells

Seeing Angels: Apocalypse of Angels Trilogy Book One

Descending Angels: Apocalypse of Angels Trilogy Book Two

Coming Soon: Surviving Angels: Apocalypse of Angels Trilogy Book Three

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