Forgetting the Murder

20: Chinese Lanterns

"So, where are we going?" I asked as Zeke slipped his hand in mine.

"A walk,"

"Care to clarify?" I pressed.

"You'll see when we get there,"

Zeke and I walked in companionable silence until we had reached the top of a small hill overlooking the beach. I could feel the wind running through my hair, making me instantly grateful I had brought my jacket. I looked over at Zeke who was holding a large, paper lantern in his hand, looking extremely proud of himself.

I raised my eyebrow slightly, "Chinese lanterns?"

Zeke looked disappointed, "Don't you like them?"

"Oh, I love them!" I reassured him, "It's just I'm a bit wary of it setting this whole hill on fire."

I was right to be wary. The grass that surrounded us was long, and therefore quite flammable. I'm not the most graceful of people and Zeke is known for a few slip-ups.

"It'll be OK." Zeke said.

I tried my best to believe him as I lit the first lantern. Unfortunately, after that one was successfully lit, we ran out of fuel in the lighter.

"Why don't we use your lantern to light my one?" Zeke suggested.

I wasn't too sure, but I held my lantern over his. I thought we had finished, but suddenly the fuel in Zeke's lantern fell and set fire to the paper. Instantly, the whole lantern lit up in flames in Zeke's hand.

"Zeke," I cried, "drop it on the ground and stand on it!"

If I was being completely honest I was clueless in what to do as well. Zeke found a spot of sand amongst the grass and set the lantern down before stomping on it. Eventually, the fire was out.

"Don't worry, we still have yours," Zeke pointed out cheerily.

I looked down at the large paper lantern in my hand. It looked like it was ready to fly. Zeke stood behind me and held the lantern as well. I could hear Zeke's husky voice counting down as I readied myself to release it. When Zeke reached one we both let go and watched it ascend into the air. I breathed a sigh of relief when it didn't fall along the way.

"Did you make a wish?" Zeke whispered in my ear.

"No," I replied, disappointed that I'd forgotten.

"Make one now,"

I closed my eyes and thought of something to wish for. I murmured it underneath my breath and opened my eyes again. I kissed Zeke lightly on the lips before returning my gaze to the glowing light in the sky.

I felt Zeke's arm wrap around my waist as we both stared out into the sky.

"Have you got a bucket list, Abby?" Zeke asked, his warm breath tickling my ear.

"Yeah," I replied, "I want to watch at least one show on Broadway."

Zeke widened his eyes, "You've never been to New York?"

"And you have?"

"I think so, there are pictures on my computer of New York."

I nodded my head. For all I know those pictures could've been default pictures, but let Zeke think what he wants. The Chinese lantern had disappeared, probably ran out of fuel and fell to the ground.

I lay back on the grass, ignoring the dampness. The sky was so clear out here and I could see every single star. I tried to recognise the constellations but all I could see was O'Ryan's Belt.

"Nice night, huh?" I said as Zeke lay down beside me.

"Lovely," Zeke breathed.

We gazed at the stars in silence, none of us saying a word. It was times like this I wish I knew what was going through Zeke's mind.

"India. Turkey." I started to list off all the places I'd like to go in the world. "Holland. London. Dublin."

"What?"

"Places I'd like to go."

Zeke placed his fist under his chin. "No, Abby, think deeper."

I closed my eyes and thought really hard. Zeke was my boyfriend now, I could trust him.

I took a deep breath, "I don't want to be a nurse."

"Then what do you want to be?"

"A photographer," I replied, "or an artist."

Zeke stared out at the sea for a moment as if he was thinking about what I said. "What's stopping you?"

"My parents,"

"What is really stopping you? Who says you can't see the world? Or become a photographer? Or have a family?"

"Zeke are you OK?"

Zeke grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet. He started to run, my hand still clasped in his. Suddenly, I noticed we were heading towards the edge of the hill we were lying on.

"Zeke!" I cried as the edge came closer into view.

"Just trust me."

"I do," I squeaked. I knew he couldn't hear me, but I was trying to convince myself more than him. Through secretly I was wondering just how badly I'm going to hurt myself when we fall.

I had closed my eyes, bracing myself for the jump, when instantly the wind stopped. I opened my eyes to find we were stand incredibly still on the edge of the hill

"You shouldn't do that, you know." Zeke said.

"Do what?"

"Trust me so much. It's not good."

"I don't trust you that much," I said defensively.

"You were about to let me throw you off this cliff!"

"I wasn't," I lied," I was about to stop."

Zeke sat down and let his legs dangle over the edge. I sat down beside him but hugged my knees protectively.

"You shouldn't trust me just as much," Zeke sighed, "I'm not one to be trusted."

"I trust you, and I think you are trustworthy."

Zeke sighed again, as if in defeat. Then he threw his head back and continued to stargaze. I tried not to stare at him, but I was trying to work out his facial expression. It was hopelessly blank. Zeke was a pretty hard person to figure out.

I took his hand in mine and squeezed it. He gave me a reassuring smile then looked up again. I followed his gaze and smiled, feeling content that he didn't know my wish from earlier. Little did he know my wish was that we would live a long and happy life together, I promised myself that I would do anything to make that happen. And I intended to.