3.
 Then the ripping current. Jill pierced it like a torpedo, and was shocked by the cold. It felt twenty degrees colder now, not just ten. Her body locked up. Tensed up like cold rubber. Too late, she realized that she'd tried the impossible. Her heart beat weakly, and she rolled in the water, clawing at the air.
For a moment, it seemed as though time stood still. A figure was running toward her. The figure was the color of opal, pale but full of roiling electrical streaks like worms. It was a woman, wearing a gown or maybe an Native American dress of deer hide, but pale like her skin. As though they had been submerged for a long time. The figure's arms were outstretched, crucifix-fashion. Her features were mask-like and smooth, but her mouth was hooked into an expression of screaming anger, and the eyes were wide with fury. With madness. And when she got close, Jill (who was gurgling and sputtering weakly, thinking I am drowning) could see that there was absolutely nothing in those eyes; nothing but the night sky, black, flashing now and then with lightning.
Jill felt her consciousness ebbing. She stared in fascination as the ghostly woman knelt down. That statue of liberty face leaned close, so close that had there been a breath of life in there, Jill would surely have felt it on her cheeks. Instead, the wind howled and raged. The ghost's face stared at her, expressionlessly, as though mildly curious. But I am drowning, Jill thought, help me somebody help me, but her mouth was filling with water and she could not even scream. And then, as the ghost leaned close, Jill felt a peace inside. Timmy, she thought, this is the right thing. I am letting go. I will be with my son now.
Just as she blacked out, she felt strong arms under hers, lifting her. The ghost was walking backwards, away, her garments waving in the wind, her arms by her sides, her eyes black and empty except when lit from behind by lightning.
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Thank you for reading. If you love it, tell your friends. Please post a favorable review at Amazon, Good Reads, and other online resources. If you want to thank the author, you may also buy a copy for the low price of a cup of coffee. It's called Read-a-Latte: similar (or lower) price as a latte at your favorite coffeeshop, but the book lasts forever while the beverage is quickly gone. Thank you (JTC).
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Copyright © 2018 by Jean-Thomas Cullen, Clocktower Books. All Rights Reserved.
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