Page 91 of Adam

“I am already dead,” I say over my shoulder as I walk away.

CHAPTER 39

CLIFFSIDE

Adam

Donald put the announcement out to find that Waldo bitch. The sightings went through the roof. She was everywhere. As I had requested, he included the parts about extortion and the money her family “raised for charity” being used for personal gain. Her ties to murder and how she helped fund the missions overseas. Worldwide, we exposed that two-faced charlatan.

Then one day, the sightings just stopped. As if she had just disappeared into a cloud of smoke. I could only assume the past caught up with her. At least, that is what I hoped.

I finally quit checking in with my contact. My past is finally catching up with me, and I can no longer stand being a part of a world where she is no longer present. I keep to my cottage and only venture into town when I need something.

Now, the days run together and every moment is spent sleeping, maybe eating, but mostly standing at the cliffside, watching the waves meet the rocks below. Continuously meeting for the first time and welcoming each other with open arms.

Today, I have been standing here at the cliffside, trying to hold on to whatever I could of this life. The sun is blinding me as the waves crash into the rocky shore, lulling me into a trance. The sharp and unforgiving rocks below sing to me, calling me like a mother to her embrace.

My body feels heavy with the memory of Reese. The breeze crosses my skin and I imagine her fingers caressing my flesh. A tear falls down my cheek and disappears into my overgrown beard. I still don’t have any answers as to where the hell DuPont is. Every day that passes with no answers only numbs the anger more.

My tired eyes travel from the rocks to the endless ocean. I have stood here every day since the meeting with my contact. If he couldn’t find the answers, then there is no hope to hold on to. This seaside cottage became a solid home for my depression while I waited for any update. Like my cabin, this cottage is void of other humans to interact with. I am left alone in solitude. Kevin is the only one to know where I live and he has sent a few letters keeping me updated on his life. I haven’t opened any of them. I truly don’t care.

I take a step forward to build momentum. I can no longer stand the thoughts anymore. They grow louder and louder with each passing day. The boulders below sing such a sweet melody, offering me tranquility.

I am just at the edge, ready to take the last step… my leg lifts. I open my arms out wide, accepting my fate. My eyes close and my body leans forward, ready to walk into the afterlife, hoping she is on the other side, waiting for me.

I am startled by a hand that grabs my arm and jerks me backward. I fall on my back in confusion. The sun is blinding and I try to cover my eyes, trying to see who pulled me back from the cliffs of my escape.

“What the fuck!” I scream out, my eyelids blinking to adjust to the change in light to see who is standing in front of me. I was once again thwarted from what I had made peace with, and I am pissed!

The air becomes a vise. The voice that echoes in the air suffocates me from speaking.

“You promised to teach me soccer. Are you going to deprive me of that?”

The voice of the angel devil is pure bliss. My body is fighting for breath as she stands before me.

“Oh, Adam,” she softly states, sounding conflicted.

I quickly stand, grabbing her face in my hands. Tears sit at the brim of my eyes, ready to fall. Her hands grip my wrists hard and her eyes are full of life.

“You are alive?” I whisper. I have to be dreaming. I must have jumped to my death and didn't realize. “Or am I dead?”

She shakes her head, smiling.

“I have missed you so much!” Her voice cracks.

I rest my forehead on hers, letting my hands touch her face, neck, shoulders, back, anything I can. Her warm skin glows with a tired vitality.

“Adam,” she whispers, looking up at me.

The green eyes stare me down, quieting the crowd in my head, bringing me peace. How quickly the demons run and hide at just the softest sound of her voice.

“I am surely dead.” I close my eyes, unable to understand what is in my hands. My mind is pushing its limits, trying to concede the vision that is her. “Reese.”

I hear a soft gasp escape those sweet lips and I surrender to her. My lips gently touch hers, bringing life back to my body. My hands let go of the goddess and I step back, needing to regroup. My hand shakes as I try to find my composure. I revert back to a simple trick of tapping my thigh in hopes of calming the chaos that ensues in my mind.

“I can explain.” She begs, voice cracking with every syllable. Her arms fall to her sides letting her body become submissive to me.

The air begins to fill my lungs again. I can’t help the grin that is smacked across my face. I don't care at what or why at this moment, to be honest. I fall to my knees, praying that this is not a dream. I close my eyes, letting a single tear fall. Two hands gently touch my chin. Opening my eyes, I look up at the woman who has once again brought me to life.

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