Atlantis (40 page)

“
It’s only a wolf Lilly.”

I finally looked around again, giving my surroundings more attention, before my eyes went back to his. “Where are we?”

“
I am not certain as to the
exact
location, but roughly we are in Canada. See,” Elliott pointed across the forest, “there’s Jasper Falls.”

“
Canada!”

“
What’s wrong Miele?” His eyes quickly swept our surroundings.

“
I’m in Canada. That’s what’s wrong!”

Elliott took my hand and pulled me towards some large boulders that were closer to the water. “Pull up a rock, calm down, and let me explain.”

I was starting to hyperventilate.

His hands gently caressed my face, forcing me to focus on his. “Please?”

I sat down next to him on a big grey stone and looked out in the direction of the falls while he spoke. The waterfalls were breathtaking. The white water fell like the soft summer sigh of the wind, effortless. These falls weren’t like the waterfall in Dimpledell back home. This one was much more sophisticated. Jasper Falls was a combination of dozens of little waterfalls that had all gotten together for a party, mingling. I focused on the conversation of the water, the sound was very soothing. I leaned back, scraping my hand on the rough stone. It was then I realized, I wasn’t dreaming.

Calmer now by the serene scene, I looked back to Elliott, ready to listen. When I looked at him, I was surprised to find that he wasn’t looking at me. He usually watched me so closely. I followed his gaze up the river preceding the falls and noticed the wolf from before getting a drink with her two cubs.

“
Wow.”

His arm wrapped around my shoulders as I watched the wolves, mesmerized.

His honey voice spoke, “Do you still want an explanation?”

“
Yes please.” I couldn’t pull my eyes from the National Geographic episode taking place right in front of me.

“
Well Miele, we projected, but instead of staying on the astral plane, I thought you’d like to try your new skill out. Do you like it?”

His question caught me off guard and confused me a little. “Like Canada, or projecting?”

“
Both.” His voice sounded unsure of what my answer would be.

“
Yes. I like them. Projecting is still a little weird, but
this
is amazing.”

His smile beamed. “I’m glad you like it mia amore. You’re amazing.” Elliott held me in a close embrace. The tingles rocked my body, and a shiver ran down my spine and gave me away. His eyes looked pleased at my reaction. “Would you like to see something else?”

I was a little apprehensive now. “What did you have in mind?”

“
Follow me and see.” He then winked at me and vanished.

So much for serenity now.
I automatically went into frightened mode. But this time I calmed down quicker. It was difficult, but I knew I couldn’t project all worked up. I found that focusing on my opal really helped clear my mind. Calm now, I closed my eyes, held my ring tight in my fist, and let my soul find his.

The falling sensation came quicker than before. I called out to Elliott with my heart. I was going
to
him. I would be
with
him. When the vertigo stopped, I opened my eyes, excited to see where I ended up.

If Elliott thought I was worked up before, he had another thing coming. We were on top of the Statue of Liberty!

“
Holy shit!” I crouched down and tried to find something to hold onto.

Elliott seemed completely at ease standing on top of the flames of her torch. “Lilly, quit being a chicken and check out this view.”

I didn’t budge. Instead of answering him, I glared as I backed into a corner.

“
Do you really think I would do anything to harm you?”

My answer was weak. “No.”

He held his hand out for me. “Lilly?”

I only looked at the offer. I had no intention of moving from the safety of the nook I had crammed myself into.

“
Miele.” He sounded a little frustrated by me, like I wasn’t getting something. “We won’t fall. Please come look at this view.”

“
I fall for you all the time! Of course we can fall!”

He looked up into his thoughts, obviously trying to pick out the right words. “Is there any possible way for us to physically get up here?”

I thought about his question for a minute before answering. “No.”

“
Is there any possible way for us to physically fly from Draper to Canada to New York City all in under thirty minutes without an airplane, or even with one for that matter?”

I shook my head, confused at where he was going with this. “No.”

“
Then how are we here?”

I had no clue! My eyes conveyed the mystified jumble of thoughts in my head. It didn’t make sense, but here I was.

Elliott jumped down into my nook without a care in the world. He bent down and kissed the top of my head. “We are here in thought.”

He noticed the lightbulb lighting up in my brain and continued. “Remember that first day we met? You took me to your meadow and muttered something about unlocking your mind, and the possibilities that would open up?”

I nodded, becoming less perplexed and more astounded by the second.

“
Well, my love... meet the possibilities.” He offered me his hand. This time I took it without fear. We stood together on the topmost part of the Statue of Liberty’s torch overlooking the city lights. Instead of scared, a serene sense of awe overcame me. My mind raced as the depth of what Elliott said sunk in. Looking out over the city, the white, blue, red, orange, purple and green lights of the overgrown buildings before me, Lady Liberty below, I started to get excited.

“
Can we go to a beach?” I asked.

“
Of course. Do you want to lead or follow?”

“
You lead. I’m still getting the hang of following, so you first.”

“
Alright, my little chicken.” Elliott gave me a funny smile. “I still can’t get over it. The very first time we met, you were fearless.”

I shrugged my shoulders. I didn’t really have a reply.

This time he cupped his hand under my chin and gave me a kiss before leaving. I was just starting to get into it when he disappeared. That tease!

Standing alone on top of the tallest statue in the United States, I calmly closed my eyes and felt for Elliott with my soul. With my feet standing solid on the metal flames, I projected. I could feel a difference. This time I fell quickly and with purpose.

I landed on a warm sandy beach. Elliott had waded out into the shallows. I rolled up my pants and followed. The water was warm, even in the dark of night. “Where are we?”

“
A beach, as requested.” He smiled, proud of his choice.

“
No kidding.” Sarcasm leaked into my voice. Nicholas had rubbed off on me. “Where is this beach?”

“
We are on the Island of Moorea.”

“
What-a?”

“
Moorea, it’s part of Tahiti.”

I nodded. I’d heard of that one. My mind started to race with other questions now. My fingertips danced on the sparkling black water as fish swam around our legs. The sensation tickled as their fins touched my skin.

“
How can I feel all this,” I motioned to everything around me, “if I am only here in thought?”

“
The body is nothing without the mind Lilly.”

I gave him a dirty look. That answer explained nothing!

Elliott sighed and wadded closer to me. Taking my hand in his, he elaborated. “Have you ever hurt yourself, but not realized it until you actually saw the blood?”

“
Yeah... but?”

“
So you don’t know you’re hurt, or even feel the pain, until you see it with your mind. It’s your thoughts that process the information and tell you what to feel.”

I still didn’t fully understand, but something inside said it didn’t really matter. I started to feel weird, but I couldn’t pinpoint the cause or what it was. I looked at Elliott and he seemed to instantly understand. “Follow me Miele.”

There was no kiss this time. Elliott was gone. I followed quick behind. I was getting pretty good at projecting now that I finally understood how to do it.

It was still night and I had projected myself into a type of courtyard of an ancient building. The columns that surrounded me were very old, with a sort of leaf decoration on the top. And the courtyard was overgrown with gardenias. It took me a moment to realize it wasn’t Elliott, but the scent was so enveloping. So strong. A flash of intuition crossed in my thoughts. I had been here before.

“
Elliott?”

“
Si mia amore?” His honey voice seemed to sing his words.