All Is Far In Love And Nature

All Is Far In Love And Nature

Daniela Dunteman

04/20/2022

Prologue

They call it the “city on stilts.” It’s occupied by one family who once wished to share this refuge with others but were pushed aside and mocked and consequently became hardened to the good opinion of anyone else. Each generation lived in solitude only filled with each other’s company, with the exception of the mischievous children who ventured out in search of more. Eliza was raised to fall in line and to never imagine. Imagination distracted from what was important and fantasizing was just asking to be let down. Yet she could not help but feel a pull deep within her to something more. She was 21 years old and had no friends except for her family members. She received no affection from her mother and her father left them 10 years ago. She knew that despite the narrative her mother created, he escaped the life she was forced to live- a life of solitude.

Approximately 60 years ago, in 2040, Eliza’s great-grandparents and everyone that was alive during that time experienced something that shocked them greatly. There had been years of speculation and prediction concerning global warming and its effects but none of it was taken seriously. The world was changing; sea level was rising, and they were terrified. Throughout their life they had amassed a large fortune and used it to protect their bloodline for what was to come. They did the research; they knew that their location was ideal-- they were 8 feet above sea level. Even then, they thought, it will not be possible to function as normal if the water rises so much as 6 feet. They bought out a large plot of land across from where they lived- the land right next to what was Zoo Miami. I have no other way of explaining what they built than this: picture a table: legs for support and a flat surface where things are placed. Now engross the scale of this table to cover a large plot of land about 200 acres across using bridges to connect the large sections of the structure. They based the structure off of the houses built in the Florida Keys. Strong enough to withstand hurricanes and tall enough to stay safe of flooding. A whole city was built on this. Self-sustaining and full of life. There was flood, plants, access to fresh water, and solar powered everything. The way up is hidden and made to blend in with the structure. It wasn’t always like this, of course, but after years of people pranking and looting their home, Eliza’s great-grandparents decided to block themselves out from people. They were taken advantage of because of their kindness, but this need for a closed-off attitude has been long overdone. Eliza’s mothers’ taciturn personality and greediness enticed her to continue it. Eliza, however, was determined to break it. She saw the sufferings of others and felt them as her own. She knew pain and loneliness and didn’t wish it on anyone. She was naïve, but doe-eyed and full of compassion. And this is where the story begins.


Chapter 1

Every day is the same. I wake up, take care of the animals, do my chores, do schoolwork, go to sleep, and repeat everything the next day. Everything nowadays is online since it’s so difficult for some people to get around. I’m an only child, but all my cousins live up here with me so it’s not too bad. My whole family does. My mom is… well she keeps to herself mostly and only bothers to talk with her sisters. My grandma practically raised me. Or rather, my mom raised me with all the rules and my grandma provided the affection. She sees things like I do, and she sees me differently than everyone else in my family does. She doesn’t judge me the way they do. I think I remind her of herself when she was young, but I also remind her of my dad since I look just like him. I have his straight, auburn hair and narrow face. My eyes are hers, a blue riddled with green. They’re probably my favorite feature about myself.

“Go to your room, Elizabeth, it’s lights out now.”

“Good night, Mom, love you too.” I used to crave her good word. I would’ve done anything to please her, but at this point I don’t even bother. It makes no difference; she doesn’t notice the things I do unless they go against her rules. She makes no response and walks to her room, standing in the doorway until I get up and go to my room with Nyah, one of my cousins, but she’s more like a sister to me. We lay in our beds and stare at the ceiling letting the time pass by.

“Are you going out tonight again?” She asks me.

“Yeah, I plan to. Why? Are you actually going to join me this time?” I smirk.

Nyah is all excitement and no action. She loves the idea of breaking the rules and sneaking out, but when it comes down to it, she has never been able to. The idea of disappointing her parents is too distressful for her, I think. But that’s understandable; her parents are sweet and caring.

“Yeah, I think I am.” I hear her sit up as she speaks like if she’s mentally gearing up. “But we can’t be out too late. I have work tomorrow and so do you. And I have school.”

“Don’t worry we won’t be out too late. Plus, school is online, you can do it whenever.” I have to calm her down I don’t want her backing out because she’s thinking too much. This is going to be way too fun to not do it.

“You’re lucky you finished school already, I hate it.” She moans.

“Well, that’s what being a doctor is. School, school, school and then more school. And then a shit ton of money.”

“Yeah, but it’s not about the money. I’ll be able to help people you know. There’s a lot of people suffering and there’s not many real doctors anymore. I’ll be making a real difference.”

“Yes, and while you’re saving lives and making a difference in the world of health, I will be saving animals.”

“But you’ll be making a difference too, Eli, I mean think of all the animals that are slowly dying off because there’s not sufficient land or resources for them to live. You can help them.”

Nyah’s real purpose in life is to make sure everyone is happy and to never have a bad opinion about anyone.

“Alright. Let’s go.” I say.

By now, my mom’s already asleep and we can sneak out. I walk over to my grandma’s room to get the key from her; my mom locks everything up to make sure no one leaves. If it weren’t for my grandma, I don’t know who I’d be. Actually, I do; I’d be just like my mom.

“Will Adrian be there?” She questions, although I suspect she already knows the answer.

“Yea.”

“You guys have been together forever. He’s perfect.”

I know she’s only saying all of this because she’s never had a boyfriend before, but she doesn’t understand.

“Yeah, we’ve been together forever, but things are different now.”

“Eli, but what do you mean? I’m telling you he’s quite nice. You won’t find someone as handsome and accomplished as him. Virtually doesn’t count- I’m talking about here and now, touchable, and real.”

“Well by all means, Nyah, you can take him off my hands if you like him that much.” I retort, feeling annoyed at her complete ignorance. “I’ve given him months of my complete adoration, my love, and he doesn’t show me the same love.”

We make our way down to the ground and hitch the trailer with the Jon boat to the Jeep, and we drive down the road until we no longer can. There’s land enough where we are located, but further down the road it’s complete swamp; and that’s my favorite place to go. I’m not the only one of course. So many people go this way just looking for adventure and freedom and companionship. Real, human contact. Here there’s no TVs, or phones; it’s just us. No one cares that I’m the freak that lives in an isolated world, hoarding all my treasures. You look up and it’s a clear, dark sky just full of stars.
Nyah breaks me out of my trance with a piercing, “Hey, look, there’s Adrian!”

I’m not a bitter person, or at least I wasn’t. But I feel like I’ve given him all of me and he doesn’t have the decency to keep himself off of other women. Adrian walks over in his polo shirt and short shorts, his face lit up by his phone. As he approaches the car, he quickly puts it away. At the beginning of our relationship, it was exciting, and I was head over heels for him. He was pretty much the only person who showed interest in me despite my family- he actually gave me attention. But I was just a conquest to him, and now he’s bored.

“Hey.” He says in his smug tone.

I smile but make no response as I unload the boat. He grabs me to hug me lingering a little too long for comfort and placing his hand way too low. I try to push off of him, but he holds me still and chuckles in my ear. He walks over to Nyah and gives her the same hug he just gave me, as if there’s no difference between his girlfriend and this other girl he barely knows. Finally, I am released, and I motion to the front of the boat where Nyah and Adrian are to sit and then push the boat to deeper water and sit in the back steering it wherever I please.

After about a mile of riding, I hear voices and music and see the large swamp area ahead of me filled with big fishing boats and canoe’s alike everyone hopping from boat to boat. All at once there is color everywhere and the music vibrates deep within me.

I pull my tiny boat up to the back of the biggest one in the half-moon line of boats and gesture for Nyah to get off.

“Adrian you should get off with her while I park so she isn’t alone.” I say and give Nyah a wink.

He goes without question immediately taking her by the hand and leading her up the ladder of the boat.

“Be careful!” I shout at them, “There are gators and all sorts of animals in this water… don’t go swimming!”

I drive my boat towards the less crowded area, choose a spot that’s out of the way and turn the boat off. Peace and happiness. I pull out my sketch book and pencil and let me hand move where it wants as I look towards the heavens and the earth as my inspiration. I watch all the people and all that they do, many of them dancing and swaying to the music, others partnered up touching and holding, others acting more wildly finding fun in challenging each other to see who can stay in the murky water the longest. Idiots. Content with the scene I’ve captured, I put my book away and lay in the center of the boat and let myself dream. Dream of the stars and of the night sky and of all the adventures I long for and the things I wish to do. There must be a purpose for me. I want so much more than this life. Just then, I feel a strong thump against my boat. My mind immediately goes to it being from one of the wild animals that roams this area… not good. It doesn’t take me long, however, to realize that it’s not. Nope, it’s a guy and he is… trying to steal my boat. He looks around as if making sure no one is around, and his eyes pass right over me. Idiot.

“Hey,” I say. No freaking way this is happening. I can’t decide whether to crack up or to tell him off.

“Oh, shit! Hi, oh there you are I was looking for you.” He chuckles awkwardly.

“Oh really, what for? I don’t think I know you,” I remark.

“No, no I’m not the one looking for you it’s one of those guys over there.” He points to the group of people that are still playing around in the water.

“Yeah, I don’t know any of them and I can say with sureness that none of them are looking for me.”

He stays quiet, obviously thinking of a response. He’s a terrible liar. As the boat turns in the water from all the movement his face is lit up and I can see his features more clearly. His black hair falls over the top of his forehead, mostly straight but with a few waves here and there.

He has downturned eyes that are dark brown. Eye shape isn’t something I ever notice, but his are so downturned that they stand out a lot in a way that keeps me looking. He has a perfectly straight nose and plush lips and a wider-set face, at least compared to my narrower one.

“I mean, I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t come try to get your attention look at you.” His lips curl up and he flashes his pearly teeth.

His unexpected compliment implements a flurry of butterflies throughout my stomach, and then I remember that he was just caught trying to steal my boat. “Are you new here?” I ask.

Clearly, he doesn’t know about my family. Out here, no one cares about what is said about my family, but most people know.

“Yeah, actually, I just moved over here. Why? Never seen anyone this handsome around here before?” He says, winking at me.

“Where’d you move from? And why?” I ask, ignoring his self-flattering comment.

By now, he’s in my boat and we’re sitting across from each other, the water is dripping from his clothes leaving a small pool on the floor of my boat. He turns his face away from me and doesn’t look me in the eyes when he replies.

“Just looking for a change of scenery. I’m living with my aunt and uncle now.”

I stay quiet, noticing his body language and not wanting to intrude.

“They actually live right down this road. Do you know anything about the people who live way down over there? The city on stilts or whatever it’s called. All everyone says is that they’re crazy and rude.” He says, turning his face back towards me.

“Crazy? No. Rude, however, yes. They can be jerks, but they’re not bad people and they’re not crazy. But not everyone there is the same, some of them are normal and nice. Just like everyone in this world.”

My tone was… passionate to say the least.

“Huh, so I’m assuming you’re close to them since you’re defending them so strongly.”

“I am them. I mean, I live there. That’s my family.” I say, rolling my eyes.

His face lights up and he starts laughing.

“No chance.” He laughs, a little too much.

“Ha. Ha. Ha.” I mock.

“What’s it like up there? Oh, this is golden I need to see that place. You guys must be loaded!” He exclaims.

“My great-grandparents are the ones who built it. They were loaded, we’re just normal. Average.”

“What’s that?” He asks, grabbing my sketchbook.

He studies it and I feel extremely self-conscious. What I write in there and what I draw in there is an exact depiction of my thoughts and feelings. It’s very personal. He doesn’t say anything, he just continues going through it. I take it from his hands and put it back where it was.

“Alright, that’s enough of that.” I say, chuckling nervously.

The air around us has become cold and chilling. I pull out some blankets from inside the seats of the boat and hand one to the boy. Why I’m letting him stay here and actually having conversation with him is a mystery to me, but something about him literally draws me in.

“I’m Justin, by the way.” He smiles and my stomach is filled with flurries once more.

“Elizabeth,” I tell him.

The night continues and we keep talking and I learn more about him. He tells me that he used to live in Texas but moved here because his dad died- he didn’t get into detail about how his dad died, and I didn’t pry. I talked to him about my mom, which I have never talked about with people who weren’t part of my family. I found myself wanting to tell him about my dreams and desires and even my feelings. He made me feel like I was falling down a deep hole, but at the same time wrapped up safely. He talked about how he felt about this huge upheaval in his life, but he believes everything happens for a reason and he trusts that he will be okay in the end. I make my own observations of him as well, noticing that he fidgets a lot with whatever he can put in his hands and that he bites at his cuticles, picking at the ripped pieces of skin. When he pushes his hair up off of his forehead, he looks extremely handsome. His laugh is contagious, and I can’t help but smile every time he smiles.

Suddenly, my words are cut off as my skin is pierced by gusts of cold wind that I know can only mean one thing: there’s a storm. There’s no time to outrun it, we’re going to be in it in a matter of seconds and we’re out here in the open, in the water.

“Damn it!” I yell, earning a surprised look from Justin.

“What happened?” He yells in response.

“There’s a hurricane. They talked about it in the broadcast earlier this week, but I didn’t realize it was so close.”

Visible panic rushes over his face. I can’t believe I brought Nyah out here and I didn’t think to make sure everything was safe. I put my own blood at risk in the name of fun. There’s no time to get back to my house the storm will be on top of us in a matter of minutes. Shit! I quickly turn the engine on and go to the boat where I left Nyah and Adrian.

“Nyah! Get over here!” I yell at her and motion over.

I have no idea what to do. I know we can’t stay in this open water, maybe we get to the car and stay in there.

“If we hurry, we’ll be able to get to my house, it’s right across the street once we get on the road.” Justin says, his voice strained.

Nyah and Adrian get in the boat; I notice more people getting their stuff together and hastily trying to leave. If we don’t get out of here now, it’s going to be hectic. I speed over to the shore, pushing my Jon as fast as it will go, and we all get out and pull it to an area where there are shrubs and trees- I pray that they somewhat keep it in place. The wind is picking up now and icy pellets of rain are starting to drop down like balls of hail. Lightning strikes not too far away, illuminating Earth’s fury. The thunder roars, coming quickly after the lightning. This is a nightmare. I am aware of Nyah’s screams and crying, but there’s no time to stop and reassure her. I can’t believe I put her in this situation. I turn quickly to look at her before we begin running to the car and notice that Adrian is holding her by the hand, and a picture of my own empty hands come into my mind.

We finally reach the car, and the quietness of the enclosed space is filled with ragged, shallow breaths. Justin sits in the passenger seat and yells the directions at me, his knuckles white from the grip he has on the door handle. I drive, my shaking hands causing my turns to feel sporadic and sharp. I pull onto the grass in front of his house, and we all run towards the front door. He knocks frantically and for a second, I worry if they’ll even hear us. Finally, a tall man opens the door, and I can see his eyes moving over all of our faces. He moves aside and lets us in, grabbing his nephew once we’re inside and hugging him tightly.

“Are you crazy?” He says in a deep, angry voice. Then, almost as if deciding he was too relieved to be angry, he adds, “Are you okay? We were so worried!”

Justin doesn’t respond, but I can hear his breaths coming loud and uncontrollable. He clutches his uncle’s arm and rests his weight onto him while his uncle looks dumbfounded and confused.

“Justin, are you hurt? What’s wrong?!” He shouts.

Justin continues his nervous breathing and looks around at everyone with fear in his eyes. I am in shock. He’s scared and I think everybody watching him spiral is making it worse.

“Excuse me,” I address his uncle, “We were out in The Marsh with Justin when the hurricane hit, and he told us to come here since it was closer than my own house. I’m sorry for the intrusion, but can we stay here?”

“Yeah, of course.” He says, his eyes staying on Justin.

I grab Justin’s hand and lead him to a couch that’s straight ahead. Right then a woman comes out of a room and shrieks.

“Is he okay?” She asks frantically.

Her husband begins to speak but I cut him off, “He’s okay. Can one of you please get him a glass of water?”

I don’t even look up at them. I’m just trying to figure out how to help Justin.

“Does he have a room here?” I ask as I see Nyah and Adrian both just standing and staring.

The man leads me past a large dinner table into an open area where the kitchen and TV room are, into a hallway that leads to three rooms. He opens the door to one and me and Justin walk in. The woman hands me the cup of water and they both stand at the door with worried expressions. I debate closing his room door, but I don’t know these people and I barely even know Justin. As kindly as I can, I imply that they should back off, just until he’s calmed down. Justin’s hand is still holding on to mine, tightly, but he suddenly releases it and drops to the floor, his hands gripping his chest. I quickly drop in front of him and place my hands on his shoulders. Fuck. I don’t know what to do.
“Justin, listen to me, it’s okay we’re safe.”

He doesn’t look at me and continues breathing even harder and shorter breaths, as if no oxygen is getting to his lungs. I place my hands of each of his cheeks and tilt his face up to look at mine.

“You’re safe, Justin. Everything is okay.”

I try to sound as calming as I can, but this tense situation and the clashing and beating going on outside from the hurricane is making my head pound and making it feel like my heart is going to stop beating any second. His breathing is still out of control, so I try to give him the water so that he holds his breath for those moments. He moves my hand down and tears start falling from his eyes. The only thing that comes to mind is something I saw on an old TV show. Same concept, but very different. But I’m desperate so I do it anyway. I grab his face again, as softly as I can, and bring my lips to his. I hold them there and I feel his hands move from his chest to my cheek and then around my back. He’s squeezing my back hard, and it kind of hurts, but I can feel his breath slowing down so I stay. He breaks away from me and gives me a bewildered look… and now I’m beyond embarrassed.

“I’m so sorry, I was just trying to get your breathing even I saw it on a show,” I blurt.

My cheeks are probably bright red, oh my goodness. He’s just sitting there, not saying anything, staring at me! This might have been the worst idea I’ve come up with. Despite the fact that I’m the embarrassed one, I see that his cheeks are red too. Maybe he feels embarrassed that everyone saw him like that. He still hasn’t said anything, he just stands up and extends his arm to help me up.

“I’m sorry you had to see that,” he says, not making eye contact with me. “I just freaked out. It felt too much like what happened to my dad and everything I felt that day came rushing up.”

I don’t want him to feel bad about this.

“Don’t be sorry, Justin. Come on, let’s go make sure everyone is okay.” I say and start walking out.

He grabs my wrist, stopping me from walking through the door, “Thank you.”



Chapter 2

In the light I can see that his hair is actually a light brown with honey heughs. He is breathtaking. I can’t believe I just shared such an intimate moment with him; I wonder what he’s thinking. We walk into the TV room area where everyone is sitting watching us. I turn around to see if they saw us kiss, but from where they’re sitting, they can’t see into the room thankfully.

“I’m so sorry for us barging into your home like this, thank you for letting us stay here,” I say. “I’m Elizabeth, that’s my cousin Nyah and my boyfriend Adrian.”

Justin snaps his head towards me when the words leave me mouth. Oh gosh. He’s probably going to hate me now.

“I’m Jose, and this is my wife Maria,” they both give a warming smile and stand up to greet me the typical Hispanic way.

The hurricane is still beating on down on the house and the rain hitting the roof and the shutters is mesmerizing.

“Do you guys have a phone I can use? I need to call my grandmother and let her know we’re okay,” I ask.

Justin pulls his out of his pocket and navigates to the dial screen and I call my grandmother. When she picks up, I hear the groans of the storm as if she is in it.

“Grandma? Where are you?” I ask.

“Oh, thank God you called. I’m out looking for you I’ve been so worried!”

“Grandma, get inside now,” I yell. “It’s not safe out.”

“Don’t worry about me, honey, I’m close to home.”

“Okay, call this number when you get back to the house.”

She agrees and we hang up. My stomach is one big knot. If something happens to her, I don’t know what I’d do. It’s well past midnight now and everyone is tired. Justin’s aunt and uncle walk to their room and Adrian and Nyah take their place on the L shaped couch, both lying on one section. Justin nudges me and motions for me to follow him, so I do. He takes me to his room and closes the door behind me; I have no idea what he’s going to say but I really hate the suspense I feel.

“I didn’t know Adrian was your boyfriend,” he says, scowling.

“He is, but” I stop my sentence, at a complete loss for words. How do I explain this to him?

“But what?” He snaps.

“Justin, yes, he’s my boyfriend but there’s nothing between us.”

“What does that even mean?”

“It means… look at him, he’s probably out there cuddling with my cousin. I mean the fact that you couldn’t even tell he was my boyfriend should tell you something. I don’t think he even loves me.”

For some reason I feel like I’m pleading my case. Like I need him to know I don’t want Adrian, I want to get to know him. But I can’t say that we barely know each other.
“So why are you still with him?”

“I don’t know. He’s familiar. I don’t want to be lonely.”

“Well, you shouldn’t settle like that. Especially not with a guy who would cuddle on a couch with your cousin.”

He opens the door, and we peek towards the couch, and as I suspected, he was playing protective hero taking care of her.

“So, you don’t want to be with him? You’ll break up with him?”

“I mean, I’ve been meaning to. I was going to do it tonight, but things got a little crazy.”
He looks at me with a desperate look in his eyes and says, “You make me comfortable.”
My heart sinks and I know we’re both feeling the same thing.
“You make me feel accepted. Like I am enough.”

I know we don’t know each other but these feelings are so strong. He literally draws me in. I want to know him more, to know him deeper. But I don’t want to scare him away. We’re both quiet and he is just standing in front of me, watching me; the tension is palpable. He steps forward and our bodies clash; he puts both his hands around my face and lifts it up, pressing our lips together. His breath is ragged, and I feel the heat emanating off of his body; one of his hands travel down to my waist and he wraps his arm around me. This embrace lasts for a few minutes before his phone starts ringing and I recognize my grandmother’s phone number. I answer the call and speak into the phone but there is no response. Instead, I hear loud crashes and static on the phone as if she’s standing in the middle of the hurricane. I yell into the phone frantically, my mind thinking about all the things that could happen to her.

“I have to go find her,” I tell Justin. “She’s probably close to our home, but something’s wrong.”

“No, you can’t go. I’ll go, I’ll find her.”

“No, Justin, I don’t want to risk something happening to you too,” I say and make my way out of his room.

“Well, I can’t let you go out there by yourself and risk something happening to you,” he says firmly.

I don’t say anything, I just rush towards the front door with Justin right behind me. The storm is lighter than it was when we first got to the house, but it’s still beating down hard. We run through the wind and rain to get to the car, and I quickly pull out and speed towards my house.

“Be on the lookout for either a person or a black SUV,” I tell him as I begin scanning the streets and houses.

We’re getting closer and closer to my house and there still hasn’t been any sign of her. I start to panic, and Justin grabs my hand, but I notice that he’s nervous too. Finally, I spot her crashed car and I rush to it as fast as I can. I swing myself out of the car and run over to hers, but she’s not in it. I search all around and try to find any sign of her and that’s when I see her lying on the floor in a puddle of water with rain beating down on her. No, please, no. Justin is quickly by my side helping me check her. She has a pulse, but she is soaked through.

“Grandma!” I yell, trying to bring her back to consciousness.

She stirs, but not enough.

“Justin, help me get her to the car please.”

We both lift her up and take her to the car, laying her down across the back seat. I start the car and rush over to my house. She made it all the way to the corner of the house and then must have hit something. Or something hit her. I don’t know, I just know that I can’t lose her. My heart is breaking with each unsure minute that passes. The storm picks up more speed and becomes more ferocious as we approach the entrance of the house, as if I angered mother nature and she is punishing me. Grandma is conscious now and helps us get herself out of the car and to the entrance. The staircase isn’t big enough for all three of us to go at the same time to Justin stays behind us, but as we start walking up we hear a piercing scream. It happens again. Someone is stuck or lost in the middle of this storm. Justin looks at me and I know what he’s going to do.

“Please don’t go, I can’t lose you,” I plead.

“I have to,” he says, “If there’s a chance I can save whoever it is, I have to.”

He cups my face in one hand and touches his forehead to mine and I breath in his scent. He kisses me passionately but doesn’t linger.

“Justin, I…”

“I know,” he says before I even finish my sentence. “Stay here until the storm clears. I’ll be okay.”

I watch him walk away; I watch the person I’ve been waiting for walk away into a hurricane. And with a glance back at me, he’s in the car and driving away from me towards the screams. Me and grandma continue walking up the staircase and finally get to the house. There’s already a fire made so I take her to it and grab car keys to go after Justin.

“No, stay with me please,” my grandma begs. “Don’t leave till the storm is gone, Eli, please.”

I am broken. I am in tears. After my grandma has warmed up and changed her clothes and is in bed I don’t sleep. I wait for the storm to stop, and it finally does as the sun comes up. I grab the keys for my ATV and run out of my house. All I care about is finding Justin. I search for my red Jeep in the neighborhoods and in the streets, but I can’t find it. Not even debris confirming that something terrible happened. I don’t stop looking. I go back to his house but it’s not there either. Something inside of me feels his hope and I hope with everything inside of me that he is okay. I know with all that I am that he’s out there and that I will find him.