Page 55 of The Rhythm of their Souls

I do chest compressions, pushing down with all my strength, refusing to let despair creep in. I can’t give up! I take a deep breath as my vision dims, and the world spins around me. I have to keep going for her. I won’t let her die. That three-letter word burns through my mind and into my throat like acid.

I glimpse up at her, taking in her beautiful features. I don’t know if the moonlight adds to it, but her tan skin begins to pale. Realizing what has happened stabs its way through my heart and soul. But I can’t accept this; it can’t be real. I grab her arms, pulling her up from the floor. Her head quickly falls behind her shoulders, dangling lifelessly. The sight of it makes me lose my grip, causing her head to slam onto the wooden floor.

My hands instinctively cover my mouth as a distressed cry escapes me, muffled by the weight of agony. I gently place two fingers on her neck, searching desperately for a pulse, but the chilling absence of life is a punch to my gut. The realization that I couldn’t save her wraps around my heart like a heavy stone, suffocating me with its unyielding grip. “THEO! HELP! Please, help me…” I barely croak out, my throat tightening as anguish swells within me.

My balance falters, and the room spins around me, the world blurring into a dizzying black void as if caught on a wild merry-go-round that has suddenly lost control. I lean against Nora’s chest, yearning for the comforting rhythm of her heartbeat that once reassured me.

Tears stream down my trembling lips, mingling with the salty taste of fear and sorrow as I whisper against her, “Oh, Nora, don’t leave me. I need you, I love you… please.” Each word feels like a plea cast into the void, swallowed by the merciless silence surrounding us.

As everything around me fades to black, the only sound I can hear is the frantic beating of my own heart, echoing in the stillness like a desperate drum, wrapping me in a swirling haze of grief. In this profound darkness, I feel as though I’m gently drifting away, suspended in an endless void that threatens to engulf me.

My eyes, the only part of me I can control in this strange dream, dart around, taking in the swirling chaos of colors and shadows surrounding me. In the distance, a luminescent light begins to manifest, growing steadily more prominent as I float toward it. I soon realize it is the moon, hanging in the vast expanse of the night sky like a radiant beacon. Its brilliance is so intense that my eyes strain against the overwhelming glow, feeling like they might burn from its exposure.

I squeeze my eyelids shut to shield myself, but despite my efforts, the moon’s power draws me in, relentless and mesmerizing. Every moment, I find myself being pulled closer, unable to resist its enchanting allure. Panic rises within me as I attempt to pull away, hoping to escape its grasp, but it is futile.

The moon’s pull becomes stronger, and in an instant, it envelops me completely, swallowing me whole. I am consumed by its ethereal light, becoming one with its dazzling entirety.

There’s a slight ringing in my ear as I continuously blink, my vision becoming less blurry with each shutter of my heavy lids. As my senses recharge and my mind is aware, I check my surroundings. I realize it is nighttime, but the moon’s ethereal light is much brighter than ever before. I am standing in front of the trail to the treehouse. But what was before is no longer. The trail is clear, with no briars or branches. Something pulls me closer, almost telling me to walk through its path.

I don’t fight it; my mind and heart feel calm and at home. As I travel through, I am enveloped with a sense of nostalgia. Throughout the clear path, colorful wildflowers sprout and bloom around me as I walk by. And the sweet smell of honeysuckles tickles my nostrils. I breathe in my surroundings as the moon pulls me to where I belong. Once I step from the trail, a delightful gasp leaves my throat.

Before me sits our treehouse, its outer walls wrapped in beautiful, large wildflowers and greenery gifted by nature. I watch in awe as vines wrap and twirl along the wooden ladder leading up to the small door. The moon is double its size, its haunting glow cascading everywhere. A sense of warmth feels me from the inside out, so intense that I close my eyes, drinking in every ounce. When my eyes fly open, I stand before the ladder, one hand resting on the step above me. My hand is much smaller than before, like a child’s hand.

A sense of familiarity consumes me, causing a genuine smile to form along my lips. Cheerful giggles fill the air; my head shoots up to the treehouse. The small door slowly swings open. And again, my body feels the pull of something telling me to continue forward. As I climb the ladder’s steps, I hear familiar laughter ring through my ears, urging me to climb quicker. Once I reach the top, I peek through the open door. My eyes sparkle with excitement.

I’m frozen, watching a young Nora Ray twirl in circles in the moonlight, its blue aura dancing around her like a protective shield. Her beautiful, long brown hair floats around her with each spin. “Olive Oil! Dance with me!” she chimes. Her child’s voice is a voice I haven’t heard in a long time but cherish wholeheartedly.

I quickly climb through, rubbing my small hands along my clothes. I look down, seeing I am in a dark blue nightgown with sparkles splashed all over, reminding me of the starry sky.

Nora grabs my hand, and when I look up, I realize she too wears the same nightgown. We say nothing more, grasp hands, and spin in circles, feeling the night sky with our nostalgic laughter. “I’m so happy you’re with me, Olive Oil, one last time.”

Her words hit my chest, but before I could ask her what she means, she pulls me in for a tight hug. My arms wrap around her, and my eyes seal shut.

Our memories together as sisters flood my mind so crucially that I collapse onto the ground, but Nora kneels, holding me close, never letting go. Memories shoot through like a projector, memories I’ve held onto for so long, and ones I’ve never seen, visions of Nora younger than I remember holding a baby, kicking her feet with excitement, the feeling of genuine love wraps around me. I’m the baby that she’s holding in her arms. She was the big sister that was ready to protect her little sister.

Warm tears flow down my cheeks as every moment stamps in my mind and tugs on my heart. Nora then picks me up, spinning me gently. I hold tight around her neck, wanting to stay in this moment forever. She puts me down; I keep my eyes squeezed shut.

“Open your eyes, Olive.” Her childlike voice is now gone. I open my eyes to find Nora and I standing at the treehouse window. My hands are no longer small. My moon bracelet dangles from my wrist.

I look up at Nora; she’s no longer herself as a child. Her bracelet rests along her wrist as she holds onto the wood of the cutout window. Her contagious smile blooms around her, that smile I’ve missed for so long. I observe her as she turns and stares at the moon, a sense of peace glowing around her body.

When I look at the large moon, I realize it is slowly approaching, growing in size. I look back to Nora; her eyes grow big, not with worry but longing.

“Thank you for being the best little sister,” she breathes. With those words came the realization that she was leaving me. And this was our goodbye.

My lips tremble as I place my hand over hers. “Please, don’t go. I can’t do this without you.”

Nora looks at our touching hands, and a star-like tear rolls down her cheek when her brown eyes meet mine. “That’s not true, Olive; you don’t need me anymore, not in that way. You are the strongest person I know. And I’m so proud you’re my little sister. Since I first held you, I loved you with all of me.” Her voice cracks.

I shake my head profusely. “No, no… please.” I cry out.

“Shhh… It’s okay, Olive Oil. He’s waiting for me.” Nora looks to the moon. And in that second, I knew she was talking about Jake.

Jake is waiting for her. My body pulls away like a magnetic field. I grab Nora’s hand tightly, the only thing keeping me from sliding further away from her.

Nora smiles at me. “You have to let go, Olive.”

Desperate cries leave my throat. “I can’t, please…” I strain out.