Faith

Faith
You have to keep breathing, Stephenie. Do it for me, please. Keep breathing. The words chanted inside my head as I shot out of the bed, breathing hard.
Early September, the sun glared like a scorching comet as I sat in my room when I heard a soft melody singing from my phone. It was a text from my friend, Stephenie, saying she needs to talk. Now, I hate it when someone says that or, “We need to talk,” ‘cause you know it’s not going to be good and if it did turn out to be good? A miracle! Anyways, I sent her back, saying okay and the next thing I know…my world fell into a great depression.
“I want to let go.”
The sun turned into a wall of charcoal, making every single thing a shadow, making the world still, even the slightest whisper was to be heard. My room, which was covered with pictures of people laughing and smiling, is now a collage of the past, memories that everyone will eventually forget, ready to move on. It seemed like forever since I last heard those four bloodcurdling petrifying words. I shut my eyes into tight little slits. No, please no.
“I’m not going to lose another friend.” I whispered softly but strong.
My phone starts to scream. I picked up the phone and said, “Steph?” She was crying silently. Let me tell you something. Stephenie is a tough little girl. She never cries. Nothing can get to her, at least until now.
“What am I supposed to do, Gina?” Her voice was rough and cracked.
“What happened?” I asked carefully. “You need to tell me what’s wrong.”
“They keep coming after me. I don’t know what to do,” her cries turned into sobs. It sounded like she was gasping for air, for a little freedom.
“Wait, they? Stephenie, please calm down and tell me, please,” I asked urgently.
“I’m sorry. It wasn’t my fault. I’m so sorry,” her voice was quiet. It was like she wasn’t even talking to me but convincing herself.
Silence suffocated the air. I didn’t know what to say to her. I can’t say, “Everything is going to be okay,” cause I know it’s not. The words I wanted to say was deep inside me and yet it wouldn’t come out. It was like talking with no tongue. You have to keep breathing, Stephenie. Do it for me, please. Keep breathing. That’s all I had to say.
“I love you.”Her voice was soft like it was her last breath. The light click popped my ear.
That was three months ago and I haven’t heard from her since.