“Hold on, Claire. Wait for me!”
She had weaker legs than Claire but Claire was too excited to sit on the hilltop and watch the sunset.
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“Pick up your race, Karen. We’re gonna be too late!”
“The sun is still fully out, Claire. Don’t be cruel. Just help me up.”
“I can’t. Just stop slugging and act your age.”
“I’m only 10.”
“I’m 10 as well, remember? Guess who’s up here?”
Claire paused a bit to look at her but she wasn’t far from the grass that surrounded the hill while she was almost at the top.
“Karen. Place your foot in the right places and you’ll be up here.”
“I don’t wanna miss it, Claire. Help me, please.”
Claire looked at the other side across from the hill and in a few seconds, the sun would set but she also needed her friend to witness it as they had both anticipated this for a very long time.
“Fine. Geez!”
Claire hurried back down to the foot of the hill where Karen was still struggling to climb and held her hand.
“Thank you.”
“I better not miss this!”
Claire grabbed her wrist tightly while she supported her weight by placing her other hand on the hill and Karen did the same with her other hand. They climbed the hill together and when they were almost at the top, Karen slid back down.
“Oh goodness! Are you purposely doing this?”
“I swear, it's these sandals.”
“I told you the red ones fit better.”
“These are my favorites.”
“Then elevate yourself with those!” Claire turned around to keep climbing.
“Please!”
Dusk was slowly upon them and Claire knew the sun was setting already.
“This is the last time!”
This time, Claire stretched her left hand down so Karen could grab it while her right hand pressed firmly against the hill. As she pulled Karen up and they were both at the top now, the sun slowly went back to its resting place.
“Nooo!” They both screamed.
Claire looked like she had just seen a ghost as she watched the rest of the sun rays set with it. She glared blankly ahead without making a sound before rushing down the hill.
“Claire.”
Karen called behind her as Claire slid down the hills but she didn't stop nor did she look back.
“Claire.”
Claire got to the down part of the hill while Karen tried to get off. Claire walked through the little woods before getting to town without even looking back at Karen.
Karen tried to get off the hill but she was scared of heights. She looked terrified but there was no one to help.
“Claire, please help.”
She called out as though she could see Claire in sight. She tried to maneuver her steps and sometimes, she sat on the hill to slide down as Claire did.
It was getting dark and the tale they were told about wolves howling on the hilltop at night scared the hell out of her.
Karen looked around the hill and saw a segment that looked like stairs. She placed her foot on the first part and the second part but when she aimed for the third part, her leg missed, causing her to slide and fall from the hilltop, hitting her head hard on a rock that was at the bottom of the hill.
“Claire,” her voice came out weak and scared. Her leg was broken and her head was bleeding profusely while her neck was broken as well.
“Help.”
It was dark already and to Claire, Karen was home but the next morning was a tragic one in town when they brought in Karen’s disassembled body. She died trying to get off the hill by herself.
Years passed and Claire wouldn’t forgive herself for what happened that day. She lived her life in regret and guilt while at the initial stages, she wasn’t willing to find peace but gradually after 10 years, she wanted to seek peace from Karen.
As usual, she would visit her tomb on the exact date she died, spending the whole day and leaving the following day.
Claire paused her life, stopped schooling, had never been in a relationship, and never planned to get married or have children. This all was in honor of her friend. Since her life was put on hold by death.
“Karen,” she called as she cleared her tomb, taking the litters of leaves off.
“I remember every passing day how much I miss you and I regret what happened that day. If only I had not let my anger get a hold of me that day. If only I had helped you down that hill. If only we had left together, you wouldn’t be 6 feet lower than I am.”
She paused, blinking back her tears as she looked around the whole place. The quietness was interrupted by the chirping sounds.
“I want peace. I know I might sound selfish for wanting that…” She paused as tears rolled down her cheeks. “I want a sign from you, Karen. Just a sign to know that you approve of me to move on with life and live.”
Claire waited for a while but got no sign. She signed and nodded with a smile. “Then I shall live my life for you, my friend. I accept that as my fate!”
Claire lowered her head but soon raised it when a strong wind hit the trees, causing them to move aggressively. The sky darkened with birds flying and Claire shielded her face with her hands.
“Is that the sign, Karen?” she asked, laughing as she got up and soon the sky cleared off.
“My heart appreciates you and for the rest of my life, I will remember this day,” she said with a smile, and from nowhere, a dove flew and landed on Karen’s tomb.
Story inspired by Worldbuilding Prompt #819 - The Hilltop
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