Sunset

      "I love you," she said as we were lying in the grass, my arms wrapped around her before a beautiful sunset. It's moments like these that nearly move me to tears.

      "I love you too," I replied. I said that to her and I truly meant it. I loved everything about her. She was so sweet, so beautiful inside and out and all I ever wanted to do was make her happy, to make her life better, to be there when she needed me, to be her shoulder to cry on, to protect and look out for her, to be the one person she knew she could always confide in and trust no matter what, even if the entire world turns its back on her, and to be everything she wanted in a boyfriend.

      I awoke the next morning and felt something in my hand. I sat up and examined the object, then froze in shock. I was instantly reminded of the dream I had. A dream in which I was standing on some hard surface, surrounded by darkness, and unable to see anything until a figure appeared. It looked like a person, but wearing a hooded cloak. The area surrounding this figure was illuminated slightly by a faint, reddish sort of glow. I don't remember what his voice sounded like, but I remember what he said to me.

      "Do you love her?"

      "Yes," I replied with absolute confidence. I knew exactly who the conversation was about, and there was no doubt in me that I loved her as much as I would ever be capable of loving anyone. Suddenly, a bright light flashed before me, and in the middle of it was a small, golden coin with strange markings on it.

      "The girl is supposed to die tomorrow. There is only one way she may continue to live. Have this coin with you the next time you kiss her if you are willing to die in her place. This must be done before sunset." This is the last thing I remember.

      I stared at the coin in my hand. It was exactly the one from my dream. I struggled to make sense of the reality of the situation. Could I still be dreaming? Could this really be? I was confused beyond all measure. It was a long time before I finally got out of bed and began to get dressed. I knew she was expecting me to visit her today. I stuffed the coin into my pocket and walked out the door. At this point, I still don't believe the reality of the coin had really sunk in, but, somehow, I was now acting on instinct. My mind had given up trying to rationalize what was happening and all I knew was that, if her life was really supposed to end today, I had to intervene by any means necessary.

      When I finally pulled into her driveway, her car was there, but not her parents'. She was there alone. I turned the car off, but didn't even remove the key from the ignition. It was then I realized that I couldn't bring myself to leave the car. I sat quietly in a trance-like state, reflecting on my thoughts. I didn't move a muscle for at least ten minutes and to my surprise, she never came out of the house to see why I wasn't coming in.

      Finally, I decided that the time had come. I had to force myself to get out. I walked slowly up to her door, which was unlocked, and made my way in. I saw her sitting on the couch. She never even looked up at me. Her eyes never left the television and the blank stare she had never left her face. I sensed that something was wrong, but for some reason I didn't ask.

      I stood there for a few seconds before greeting her with a weak "Hi."

      She returned the same "hi" back to me. Just as stoic, just as lifeless and void of her normal cheerful, happy-go-lucky, sort of disposition. Finally I made my way over to the couch and sat down beside her. We sat for nearly thirty minutes, neither of us speaking.

      Finally, I decided that it was time. This had to be done, and I would delay it no longer. I put my arm around her and told her to look at me. She did, and then I leaned in for the big kiss. I stopped about halfway, but then she leaned the rest of the way until our lips touched and the kiss was complete.

      It was right then I noticed something in her hand. A golden coin that was identical to the one in my pocket.

      "Oh my God!" I exclaimed.

      Minutes later, I had shown her my own coin, described the dream I had had, and found out that the exact same thing had happened to her.

      "So what could this mean?" I asked.

      "Either we both live, or we both die, I guess," was her reply. This was the only conclusion we could draw, and decided that we had to make the most of this day, for it was possible that it could be our last. We spent the whole day together, and topped it all off by passionately making love before heading to our favorite spot to watch what may be our final sunset.

      There we were again, just like the day before. The sun was slowly descending before us as tears flowed down both of our faces.

      "I love you," she said.

      "I love you too," I replied. The sun then disappeared beyond the horizon. The day had come to an end... and we were alive.