The Lost Soul by Suzy Turner Page B

Meredith had a knack of reading the thoughts of those dear to her and just then, at that time, it was no different. She knew exactly what Lilly was thinking and she sympathised with her.
    "I know, my dear, I know what you're thinking but it can never happen," she whispered, turning away to watch as people began to disperse from the graveside.
    Lilly approached and looked down at the flowers and wreathes that lay waiting to be placed atop the gravestone. The biggest and most beautiful had a simple note attached that said, "We will miss you, Jemima. You were one of the brightest lights at our school. Rest in Peace, PR High School."
    Taking out her camera phone, she took a quick picture of it so she could show Jemima later.
    "She'd like that," said Meredith simply before she walked away arm in arm with her youngest son, Cormac.
    "I ch..ch..chose the flowers," said another voice from behind her.
    Lilly turned to find Syd standing aimlessly with a tear-stained face. He rocked back and forth on his toes.
    "They are beautiful, Syd, they really are."
    "P..p..p..pink was her favourite c...c...colour. I can't believe she's g..g...gone, she's really gone."
    Lilly just smiled sadly as Syd's closest friends came and took him away without saying a word.
    "Well, that was awkward," whispered December who had been standing right at the back of the group. Lilly just nodded as they linked arms and walked back towards the rest of the family but not before turning to take one last look at Jemima's grave.
    Almost everyone had left, just one person remained. A young woman who wore a bright red scarf around her head. Lilly didn't recognise her. She certainly wasn't a student at the school, and she wasn't anyone she knew from town.
    December followed her gaze.
    "Oh, she's stunning," she said, "I've never seen anyone so beautiful. Do you know who she is?"
    Lilly shook her head, "She must be one of Jemima's relatives or something. From out of town, maybe?"
    "She looks like a supermodel," concluded December as the girls turned away from the cemetery without a second glance.
     
     

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
    They had been walking for about six hours and were exhausted. Zalea eventually gave up and asked Jack if they could take a break when she noticed the small river just up ahead.
    "Sorry, you should have said something sooner. I never even noticed how tired you look."
    "That's okay... I know you're eager to find this place."
    He smiled as they wandered over to the water's edge and knelt down to take a few gulps. Zalea followed suit and used her small hands to scoop up the water to her mouth.
    "The water's quite warm," he said.
    "Oh, that's better. I was starting to get so hot. Actually, I think I'm going to have a swim," she said as, without a seconds thought, she dived gracefully into the water, fully clothed.
    "It's wonderful," she giggled, swimming with the grace of a dolphin.
    "Come on in, it's quite refreshing," she said as she gently splashed him before he jumped in by her side.
    They swam quietly for a few minutes before Jack stopped to lean back on the riverbank and take in their surroundings.
    As they had walked from the forests that morning, the silvery colours had eventually given way and revealed trees of lush golden browns that twinkled beneath the orange sky.
    They were gradually getting closer to the mountains they had spotted from the distance the previous day but there was still a long way to go. It was there Jack believed he would find the caves where the Nephilim resided. He didn't know how we knew, he just had a feeling it was where he needed to be.
    As he lay back on the soft golden sands, Jack turned his attention to the beautiful faery that swam in the warm waters of the river. The water twinkled off the back of her lilac wings and she swam on her front before she turned over and began floating on her back, every now and again kicking the water with her strong long legs to help keep her afloat.
    When she noticed Jack was watching her, she