Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Underneath

Underneath

They told me to never ever go to that bridge. Something evil lived beneath it and no one ever goes there. But like a moth drawn to the flame I was drawn to all things off limits. It is said that the devil himself lives underneath that bridge. Maybe that’s why Susan Gambles jumped off last year, cracking open her skull. Of course she hasn’t been the only one, there’s been many more. The bridge’s name is Saint Joseph’s Bridge, but everyone I know calls it the Suicide Bridge. I myself am not suicidal, nor have I ever been. But today I was going to find out why so many people before me had found the urge to jump.
                I knew that it might be a stupid idea going there by myself, but I had to take the risk. The thought of not knowing would drive me insane; it’s just the way I work. The bridge was down and old dirt road and I drove until my car couldn’t take it anymore. Reaching the halfway point I park my car and walk the rest of the way. The bridge is tall, with no water beneath it. Its dark underneath like a shadow permanently resides there. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes for a quick moment and prayed to any god that would listen and then I walked up to it. Everything was quiet around it, as if every animal was scared to even live near it. I walked up the same place where so many had taken their lives.
                When I look over the old railing I’m shocked with what I see. Underneath there is a river that was never there before, a river flowing with bright blue water. The water glimmers in the sunlight and I can see something beneath the water itself. I step over the railing onto the other side trying to get a better look. People are swimming underneath the water and they look so peaceful. When they see me, they beckon me to join them. My eyes go wide staring at that water and an impulse rushes through my body. I have the overwhelming urge to jump in the river. I try to hold onto the railing tighter, resisting the urge. Down below the people swimming keep beckoning me and I can even hear their voices.
“Join us! The water is perfect! It’s so nice down here.” They keep yelling up at me. Continuous voices that don’t rest, they just keep calling out to me. My foot hangs in the air and all I want to do is fall forward and feel that cool water on my skin. Then I see Susan swimming amongst the others. Her smile falters for a second when she sees me. She gives the tiniest shake of the head, telling me not to jump. I try to climb back onto the bridge, but my foot slips and I plunge down. The water is not cold, but a deep burning that boils my skin. I now know that beneath the bridge lives a portal to hell. 

No comments:

Post a Comment