Too many thoughts!!!

[Jennifer Lee Lefort]

For the past few days I have been working on the Isle of Mist. A new paranorm fantasy I thought I was going to leave as one book, but things have changed. Yesterday the ending came into view and I was on fire typing away, and then today it hit me. I will have to write more than one. The title to the sequel poped in and before I knew it I was outlining the story. I still have a way to go before I finsh the Isle of Mist, but I want to share some of it with you.

Prologue

Thump, thump, thump, her heart pounds in her chest as she races through the woods. The sound of her pulse hammers in her ears as she fought to control her breathing. Her eyes never leaving his back, she sprints to keep up. Her bare feet felt every stick and stone, but she could not slow down. She could not stop to tend her cuts and bruises. She had to keep running. She had to keep her pace with his. She could not fail him, not this time. This time they would succeed. They would finally be free. This time they will get away and be free of this ghastly nightmare. They would finally be together.

They race through the darkness, knowing the danger that follows close behind. The sound of the waterfall sent a wave of hope crashing through her tiring body. We are almost there, she thought. We’re going to make it. But her hope soon fades. The victory she could foresee soon vanishes as she felt the temperature drop. She could see the mist form along the ground; telling her their time was running short.

Panic takes hold of her mind as the mist grows thick. She focuses harder on his back, fearing he would leave her behind if she did not keep up. The sound of the waterfall grew louder. She could hear it roaring through the wood. Not much further, she told herself. You can do this Miriam. Beads of sweat roll down her face as she pushes her body harder. She forces her feet to continue, though she desperately wants to fall to the ground from exhaustion. The mist slowly began to rise. She could feel it on her ankles, warning her that time was up. No matter how far she ran, she could never escape. Tears form in her eyes. She could not fight them back. She let them fall down her face as she continues her escape. She would not give in, nor would she give up.

The mist crawls up her legs, surrounding her, ready to take hold as her beloved disappears before her. She almost felt her heart stop from an unspeakable fear. Her voice cried out, “Cam!” as she broke through the tree line. Her body crashes into his as he wraps his long lean arms around her; holding her close.

“It’s alright Miriam.” Cam tries to speak calmly, but he fought for every breath. “We made it out.”

They both stood on a ledge, looking down at a deadly drop, listening to each other’s heartbeat. Miriam listens to Cam’s breathing, to his heartbeat as she holds him close. Taking a deep breath, she inhales his scent, wanting him to erase her fear. She felt his hands move up her back, to her neck, and then gently touches her face. He lifts her chin until their eyes met. Her breath caught as she stares into his hazel eyes. They show so many emotions, but one shows brighter than all of them. His love for her. Seeing this made her stronger, and she would believe they had a chance. Their hearts still pound in their chest, but in that moment Miriam felt they were beating as one. The thought soon calms her fear. Her mind felt at peace knowing no matter the struggles, Cam will always be there, guiding her to the end. The mist creeps from the trees, chilling the sweat on their skin. Miriam felt Cam tense; his eyes grew wide as she felt her body shudder. “Miriam, it will be alright. Hold my hand, and don’t let go.”

Cam quickly releases her face, taking hold of her hand; they race toward the waterfall. Miriam could feel the struggle to stay focused. Her thoughts shift, her vision blurs, and her muscles cramp. Stay focused Miriam. Keep running. Don’t let go of Cam. She repeated these sentences over and over as Cam pulls her toward the fall. She could not lose him again. After everything they have been through, she could not let him go. Her mind slowly settles and the cramps are hardly noticeable. Her feet move faster, her vision became sharper, and she felt like she could run forever. Cam releases his hold on her hand, jumping onto a boulder, he lend down to help her up. When their eyes lock, Miriam sees the worry in them. He could see that time had run out. He knew she could not go with him, and her heart felt has if it would break. Miriam tries to keep her thoughts straight. She wanted to hold on to him and remember, but her mind starts to slip. A tear falls down her check as she stares up at him. “I’m sorry Cam. It’s too late. I wanted”, her words fell short as she begins to sob. She could not bring herself to complete her thought. To speak the words would only make it real. That she had sealed their end. She could not bear to think of him alone. She did not want to believe that she would be forced to forget him again.

Caught off guard Cam, pulled her up onto the boulder, “No, Miriam. Don’t give in. Fight it. Remember.” Cam pleaded, “Please! We are almost free.”

The tears fell harder now. She wanted to lean into him one more time, but Cam held her face. He held her so that he could look into her eyes. Eyes, she felt had already begun to change. “I’m sorry Cam. I can’t do this anymore.” Her words broke as she cried, allowing her tears to fall so that she could feel their warmth on her check one last time. She reaches up to place her hands over his, hating the hurt that know shows in his eyes. Miriam was angry now with herself and her weakness. Angry knowing that they had come so far to only fail. She took a deep breath to swallow her fear. She would not give up, even if she knew it was no use. “I feel it Cam, and I can’t hold on much longer. If we are to do this. We need to do it now.” She forced a smile to form on her delicate lips. Hoping he could not see the truth behind it. A tremor flutters down her back, and her grip tightens around his hands. Before she gave in completely she whispers, “I love you.”

Cam releases a quick sigh, kissing her gently on the lips; he turns and pulls her toward the water. The mist had grown thick. Miriam now felt it all over her body, causing her to shiver as she fought to control her muscles. Her vision blurs in and out. A new fear clinches at her gut. A fear she felt was silly, but it still terrifies her. The water. Her heart felt as if it would pound out of her chest. Cam inches her closer to the edge, “Miriam, whatever happens. Don’t forget.” His words echo through her mind as she felt her body fall from the boulder. The wind took her breath as she fell toward the river. The cool water sprays her skin as her scream is caught in her throat. Cam’s eyes found hers the moment his hand slips from her grasp. Her mind screams out as she sees the rocks below. Her muscles tighten; her bones start to shift as her mind grew dim from the impact of the water. The air had left her lungs and she felt her body shatter as she fell toward the bottom of the river. She wanted to scream. She wanted to find Cam, but it was no use. Her world grew dark.  Her mind and body felt strange, and she knew the Isle had claimed her once more.