The Traveling Heart

This story is the first part of a book I might write in the future.

"Jenny?"
"Yes, Grandpa Owen?"
The young girl knelt down by her grandfather's bed. Although he could no longer walk, he insisted that he remain at home. His life was running out, and a nursing home would do nothing to prolong it.
"Jenny, do you know that I will have to leave you soon?"
"Yes, Grandpa Owen; I know. My parents told me everything."
"Life is a great adventure, and death is a great mystery."
"I wish you didn't have to die." she said, casting her eyes to the floor.
"Everybody dies, but I am lucky enough to become old first."
She nodded her small head and took a deep breath to compose herself.
"I called you here because I have a special favor to ask, and also a special present to give to you."
"Me?"
"Yes. Out of all my children and grandchildren, I believe you have the strongest heart."
"But I'm only seven."
"That doesn't matter," he said with a smile.
Jenny stayed silent, feeling slightly nervous. The old, bedridden man removed his hand from under the blanket, a steel chain held in his fist. The shape of a heart dangled from the chain. "Do you know what this is?"
"That's your Heart Pendant." she said cheerily, recognizing the charm her grandpa always wore.
He nodded. "Do you know the story of how I found it?"
She shook her head.
Gazing deeply into the minute scratches on the steel heart charm, he told her, "This is the item that led me to find your grandma. I was poor then; I had no job. I was wandering along the river by Sacred Bridge and found it glittering in the water. If I hadn't picked it up, I would never have seen Grandma about to jump from the bridge to her death. I saved her life that day."
He then shifted his focus to his granddaughter. "But the story goes deeper then that. This heart of steel holds more than just my story. When I picked it up, I somehow knew that it had already been touched by many hands. This piece of jewelery has seen much pain, but also much love."
Jenny stared in awe at the heart. Now, it seemed magical. This ordinary charm held much sentimental value by many people, most of them probably dead. Who knew how many had loved it, treasured it, hated it?
"Jenny. I want to give it to you."
Her eyes grew wide in amazement. "Really?"
He nodded with a smile. "It is up to you to carry it now. Add your own memories to it, and pass it on before you die. Never try to destroy it, or get rid of it. This charm wants to live and experience. It is blessed; it has a mission."
"How do you know?" she asked skeptically. "How do you know?"
He chuckled. "I don't know how I know. I just do. The moment I picked it up, the thoughts of how many memories it holds rushed into me. Think of it like a voice from the heavens, how do you prove that? You can't; you must believe."
He held it out to her, and she carefully took it in her cupped hands. "I do believe, and I will keep it safe."
"But not too safe. Remember, you must pass it on."
She nodded. "Goodbye, Grandpa. I love you."
"I love you too."

Owen kicked an empty can in frustration. Denied. Again. His savings were running out, and now there was no place that wanted his work. It was true, he had no special skills, and was often unreliable, but it wasn't fair to him.
Abandoned by his family, he would receive no help from them. His brother was murdered, but not by him. Unfortunately, there was no evidence of anyone else, so Owen took the blame. The authorities were wise enough to see that their was little evidence that he could have done it, and dismissed their accusations, letting the case go unsolved. His family wasn't so wise, and were quick to disinherit Owen at the mere suspicion of murder.
So now, unemployed, he walked down the concrete path at the edge of Sacred River that ran straight through the city. At tempting as it was, he refused to let himself hate his family. He had to be stronger than that, stronger than them. He had to prove to them, to the world, and to himself that he was still a good person.
Crossing underneath a wide bridge, he stopped to rest in its shadow. He sat down on the concrete and watched the clear water sparkle in the sunlight. One shine in particular caught his eye. Was it from the water? He stood up to get a better view, not knowing why he was so fascinated. Yes, there was definitely something in the water. He took off his shoes and socks and waded into the shallow river. Ignoring the sharp stones that cut his feet and the smooth ones that slid from under him, he navigated his way to the source of the shine. What was this? There was a metal chain laying in the water. He picked it up amongst the stones. Hanging from the chain was a simple heart shape. What kind of jewelery was this? It wasn't silver, probably steel. And what was it doing here? Had someone thrown it away?
He looked up at the bridge overhead and gasped as his heart leapt. A woman stood balanced on the safety rail at the edge. Was she going to jump? She did.
Owen leapt and dove, catching her as she fell. Together, they splashed into the crystalline river. The force of a thirty meter fall crushed the air from his chest and left a sharp lingering pain. He pushed her body away and painfully sat up to get his head above the water's surface. He looked over at the woman. She was motionless and lay face down in the water. Own turned her body over and lifted her head up. He felt her face and her chest for vitals. Her heart beat, but there was no breath. He leaned over her, put his mouth over hers, and blew air into her lungs. Relief flooded through his veins and she inhaled sharply and let loose a violent series of coughs.
The woman opened her eyes. They instantly focused on Owen's face. "Why," she whispered, "Why would you save me?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"No." Owen's face reflected the shock he felt at this answer.
"You were going to die."
"And I wanted to."
Now it was Owen's turn to ask, "Why?"
She closed her eyes. "Because the world hates me."
Owen smiled. "The world hates me too."
She opened her eyes but said nothing. He continued, "I was wrongfully accused of murder. My family has since abandoned me and now with this on my record, I've been fired from my job."
She laughed for several seconds, startling Owen and giving him a lingering, suspicious feeling. "Same here," she said.
Owen could think of no words to say. There was obviously no lie on her face or in here clear, blue eyes. He chuckled too, thinking of the impossible coincidence. With no words to be said, he helped her to her feet.
"What's your name?" he eventually asked.
"Marian. And you?"
"Owen."
The two walked through the shallow river to the concrete bank. Owen glanced at the steel heart that he held in his hand. If he hadn't waded out to get it, there would have been no chance for him to save Marian. Another link in this coincidence chain. When she wasn't looking, he brought it to his mouth and softly kissed it.

Author's Note

So how story works is the timeline goes backwards. I have planned 8 links, all of them connected by how the heart finds its next (or previous) master. There is no definite "first" link yet, so that means I can still add to it, but I do have an idea of what the first link could be when it comes.

Reviews

[Jess.]

Loved it. Very interesting. Nicely written.

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed this story. You made the necklace have great value. I like the story at the end. Thank you for a excellent story.
Coyote

[ToxicMelody]

You should seriously continue this... I can see myself becoming addicted to this story.

[Dreamer<3]

Woah. I would read the entire book if you decide to read it. This is really goodddd