Ben slid his elongated fingers through his golden chestnut hair. Today had lingered, but finally he was starting to unwind. Ben had driven for four hours, although looking over this view had made the journey worthwhile. Ben leaned on the cold wrought iron railing and peered out over the cliff at the swirling seas below. He glanced back at his luggage in the doorway and sighed. He was already feeling the wisps of relaxation washing over him, and he was not looking forward to unpacking.

He extended his arms and took a deep breath of sea air. The breeze, insignificantly tinged with iodine, soothed his tense face. Glancing at the characterless rock face as he strolled along the veranda that was hung over the edge, there was a handful of apartments, dotting the grassed cliff top. A Few appeared to be deserted, and some had cars stationed below the timber decks.

On the horizon, the waterline amalgamated as one like watercolours on parchment. The despondent wailing of the gulls carried beyond the seas. They circled in enthusiasm approximately half a mile out against the water-worn rocks at the base of the precipice. Somewhere he heard a seal bark, and he promised to investigate when he had found the resolution to combat his increasing lackadaisicalness.

Strolling back to the house, he thought about his new neighbours. Perhaps there was a neighbour he could befriend? He had visions of intimate barbecues and dead of night games of poker with salted snacks and bottles of beer. The vibe in the area seemed to imply that such activities would be welcomed by the budding entrepreneurs who lived here.

The house was painfully quiet except for the lone echo of the continual churning of the tide. Ben rejoiced in the tranquility as he watched the waves crash against the rocks. It was then he noticed her, another living soul!

Perched on the edge of the cliff, peering out over the tempestuous waves stood a captivating young woman. Ben balanced himself on the draining board and gazed at her. She was outstandingly beautiful; her auburn hair brushed against the small of her back. The frolicsome breeze tossed her hair into her morose, almost sorrowful face. The ashen cotton gown that she was wearing enveloped her trim figure as the wind cascaded around her from over the seas.

Ben observed her for a while; he decided against disturbing her. He stood watching but turned his head after a while to focus his attention on cooking supper. When he glanced back, she was gone. He was aghast. Did she jump? His heart skipped a beat.

Darting down the steps, he squinted at the ridge below. Nobody lay on the water-washed stones below. He searched the immediate area and inspected the neighbouring house. A lamp was illuminating the lower story. Ben breathed a sigh of relief and made his way back to the house to make supper.

The following morning brought about another brisk day. The sky was warm citrine yellow, swathed behind a stratum of golden clouds that appeared to crease over one another like an assortment of silk thrown over the arch of the glass dome sky. It was breathtaking and offered an unusual serenity to the day.

She was there once again, wearing the same gown that was dancing around her feet. He grinned secretly happy to see her there. His mind rested while he observed the attractive lady standing before him. Her expression was identical to the last time he saw her, and again she stared mournfully across the ocean. He craned his neck to see what she was staring at, and when his eyes searched for her she was no longer there. It troubled him that she came and went more briskly that she should.

Ben’s suspicions flared when she materialized the next day, merely an instant since he had glanced at the deserted site. There was no way on Earth anyone could stroll from the house next door to the location or the reverse in such brief time lapses.

He set his determined expression and donned his coat. Ben hated situations that he could not understand, and he would do anything to amend the problem if only to settle his mind.

He crept down the steps.

She was gone.

That night Ben slept restlessly, roused early with a rotten headache and watched the woman on the cliff for a while before she disappeared once more.

He wandered in search of seals for the morning until about lunchtime. Thoughts of the curious woman plagued his mind. Ben peered out at the rock face as he prepared lunch, hoping that he would catch sight of the mystifying resident. Amusing himself with a game of peekaboo, trusting that she would materialize between glances. She didn’t. It would seem that she only came into view when he wasn’t expecting her to.

Ben spent a restless night attempting to declutter his mind. He awoke aching, rigid and in a wretched mood.

She was there at eight on the dot. Ben briskly dashed out of the house, hoping to catch her before she vanished. For two consecutive days, he missed her, her elusiveness only challenged him further. His infatuation was escalating with each glimpse of her bloodless features and chestnut curls and his impatience to speak with the lady of the cliff became his prime objective.

He developed a plan so that he could communicate with her. One morning, he woke early, declined breakfast and waited outside for her. Eventually when he looked out at the ocean for a brief moment of distraction, she revealed herself.

He crept up to her.

She appeared to be entirely real. Her hair seemed touchable and her smooth, flawless complexion kissable. How could something so tangible be illusory? He queried.

He did not allow his eyes to leave her as he approached.

Ben paused alongside her and examined her colourless features. Her eyes were aquamarine and unresponsive.

‘Hello,’ he uttered. She did not look at him, but her lifeless lips moved.

‘Push me, please push me.’ She pleaded her eyes still fascinated by the horizon.

‘I can’t do that!’ Ben was horrified. The woman sighed so grievously. Ben’s heart shattered.

‘Please, push me. I cannot leave here unless you push me.’

‘Why don’t you jump?’ Proposed Ben still not convinced by what he was hearing, nor what he was saying.

Her eyes acquainted with his for the first time. His heart fractured into slivers of ice as her anguish and exasperation surged through him. He sensed her years of misery and pleading.

‘I cannot jump! Please someone must push me!’

Ben blanched and retreated, scalding hot teardrops filling his eyes. He launched into a half run towards his house. When he glanced back, she had gone. Nothing could alleviate his astonishment, not even the melancholic lamentations of the gulls endlessly spiraling out toward the ocean.

He thought of leaving this outlandish place. His heart went out the stranger on the cliff-top, her plight, and her despair had touched him deeply.

Ben couldn’t comprehend this surrealness. He made an effort not to glance at the cliff yet something forced him to. There she stood, staring directly at him, her mouth forming words that he could not decipher.

He wept, arguing with himself. He couldn’t push her could he? Ben sighed and pulled on his coat, determined to resolve the situation.

She remained on the cliff as if she was aware of Ben’s intentions. ‘Push me! Please.’

Ben glanced down at her exposed feet. Her delicate toes curled over the edge of the cliff. He gazed at her, reaching out to touch her willowy arm. She was solid. She clutched his shoulder with her tiny cold hand.

‘Push me!’ Ben shifted behind her. His thoughts were wretched, but he was determined. It was the only way to soothe the heaviness of guilt resting on his shoulders.

She turned her back to the sea and smiled longingly at him. Standing on her toes reaching to kiss him tenderly on his lips, such a frigid feathery sensation. ‘Push me.’ She begged.

Ben raised her arms and positioned his hands on her shoulders. She was smiling gloriously now. Her thoughts were of elation and solace. His sympathetic mind acquiring her emotions through her fathomless eyes.

He seized his determination and heaved all of his weight against her. She grew faint until she was a shimmering gossamer reflection, and all her solidity dwindled away into the heavens as Ben fell through her.

It was too late to regain his stability. The final image he saw was her enchanting smile as he plunged down to the rocks below.

Ingrid was exhausted. She placed her suitcases on the soft carpet floor and walked to investigate the kitchen. She sighed. Outside the ocean churned furiously against the cliff-side. There on the edge stood a handsome, youthful man. He had golden chestnut hair and finely chiseled features. He gazed into the distance.

Ingrid blinked, and the mysterious Ben had disappeared.