ilex-opaca
"Wait a sec," I called, backtracking my steps to run to the shrubs we had just passed. The flash of red had caught my eye, and jogged my memory.
"What is it?" Marcus called. I ignored him, digging furiously through the thick brush that blocked my view. Finally, my hand grazed the soft fabric. It was Jamie's red sweatshirt. She had been here in these woods. But why?
We sit down on the bench, its weathered wood creaking under our weight. I stare out at the water, at the horizon. At that moment, I realized that we were back where we had started. Full circle, I thought to myself. A circle shouldn't have an ending. Yet, here we were, sitting silently in the spot that held so much meaning to us. Neither wanting it to end, yet knowing that we could never go on with all that had happened. I inhale the salty air, filling my lungs before I let the words I had been wishing I wouldn't have to say stumble out.
I could see every bit of hurt I had caused reflecting in his blue eyes. "I am so sorry," I mustered. How could I apologize for all the lies I had told him. I could only hang my head in shame at the man who stood standing in front of me, broken and beaten down because of all my selfishness. Now that the dust had settled, everything was clear and I could see how I had been so completely wrong about everything.
All she wanted was for the tiny device to work its magic. She knew once the mechanism was functioning, everything would be set right again.