Nothing feels fine right now.
Part Three
My death will take…
Present Day
Chapter Nineteen
Bizzy (Elizabeth)
I’m strangely drawn to the bridge on the stone path at Rock Am. Liz turns as I stop to gaze at the river.
“Are you coming?”
“Sorry, it’s so beautiful. When the light hits it just right, it looks like shimmering silver and gold.”
She laughs at me with a shake of her head. “Only you, Biz. We’ll be late if we don’t hurry.”
Having Liz around has been nice. JJ has started calling us the Izes. It’s been even nicer having another girl to discuss my growing feelings for JJ and Rippley. A mess waiting to happen.
I’ve spent more time on the Rockefeller Amherst campus since meeting Liz a couple of weeks ago. Besides my appointments with Dr. Fraine, I’ve met up with her for lunch, attended a dance recital as her guest, and now we’re on our way to watch a swim meet for her and JJ’s friend, Eric.
I’d prefer wandering the campus for inspiration. The old stone, ivy-covered buildings call to me, making me want to sketch and paint every foot of the place.
I’ve never even met Eric, I only agreed to join Liz because she felt nervous going by herself.
With one more glance back at the river, dread pulls at the edge of my consciousness, making me hesitate before following Liz.
I suddenly want to be anywhere but here.
“...are you coming? Hurry up slowpoke.”
It’s his voice. The one I keep hoping returns.
“Shhh…I’m coming.” I almost trip on the stone path. Stopping to catch my breath on the bridge, I spot it. Glistening in the sun, shoved between two rocks at the bottom of the stream.
“Biz? Love?”
What is that object?
I lean over the side to get a better look. Half buried, a gold cylinder.
Liz gives me a worried look, “Are you okay?”
No. I’m definitely not okay.
Shaky, my breath becoming labored, I collapse onto a bench a few steps away from us.
I’ve been feeling well lately.
Is this because of the hallucination… memory… whatever it is? Or is this something I should actually be worried about?
“You should go without me. All of a sudden, I’m not feeling too great. I’m really sorry.”
“I don’t want to leave you here by yourself.”
The campus security would wrangle me up immediately if I was found alone on their precious property. I almost laugh to myself picturing them dragging me away.
