Neemah lay on her couch. She didn't care anymore, no sudden urge to continue the daily chores she usually did was present. I wish Matt was here, she thought. As she lay, an idea leaked into her. She scrambled for a piece of paper and a pen, and sitting down, wrote in her beautiful, slanted printing. Neemah folded the paper into three and slipped it into an envelope. She prowled her house for helium and balloons. She found the balloons a few moments after beginning her search, in the back of her cupboard. She found helium in the garage. She found many different balloons, but cared only for seven, red and black. She pumped up the balloons and tied them together. Neemah then taped the bundle of balloons to the envelope and wandered out to Lake Singepoure. She and Matt had spent countless afternoons there, just talking, brother to sister. They were considerably closer than most siblings. In fact, they were the best of friends.
When she reached the edge of the glistening water, she looked up. Neemah took a deep breath and let go of the balloons. They floated up slowly and softly, almost dreamily. She watched them rise up in the sky until she could no longer see the red and black balloons. She smiled as if some of her grief was drifting away, lead by the bundle. Some of the horrible events had finally been lifted off her chest.
Up in heaven, a young man glided through the never-ending world. He looked around and saw some odd colours, red and black. It made him double-take. His two favourite colours. He bent down and lifted the balloons up. They couldn't float in heaven, even he, who had just got here a few days ago knew this. It was because there was a boundary for everything, even the departed.

At this thought, he remembered bitterly of that driver that had changed everything. Of how that man in the black Toyota could have saved two lives if he hadn’t been drunk. Of how the icy, December water had drilled through his skin like a thousand knives. He had tried to save her, but his numb hands couldn’t get a firm grasp on her. He shook his head sadly, remembering how sad he had been when he couldn’t find Lizzie in this strange place. At this, he stole a long glance at the space around him 7^th heaven, they called it. Not many got here, they were all in the lower levels, Lizzie included. At first, he had asked, “What have I done to deserve being here?” That question, however, had remained unanswered.
He forced himself to look at who the letter was addressed to. What really intrigued him was seeing his name on the front of the envelope in familiar handwriting. He detached the envelope with difficulty, there was so much tape, but he eagerly did the job. If there was even the slightest chance it was from her.....
Matt ripped it open. He read it through quickly the first time. The tears were fighting to get out of him, but he fought back. He read it through the second time and couldn't contain himself. The tears had beaten his defences, and they wouldn't stop coming. He dropped the letter out of his trembling hands.


Dearest Brother,

If you are reading this, I just want you to know I love you and miss you terribly. I'll keep you up to date, promise.

Love,

Neemah

Teardrops had spattered the page, they never quite went away, not even when she arrived herself.