Merciful Shadow

Trepidation

The light slipped through the curtains, landing gently upon my face as I lay thinking about the nightmare. I looked at my hands, stained with the image of blood. I don't know who she was, her face was blurry, but she looked at me crying, she was finally freed from such a cruel world but she looked to be in so much pain. I felt guilt and pain rush through my body, a chill that made me shiver. The blood stains my hands and will always be there. That's why I never look at them, I cant. I'll look at them after as I pray for them to pass easily though. I hate seeing them in pain.

I shook my head harshly and stood up out of bed.

"what the hell was that?" I muttered to myself.

I figured it must've been some pent up guilt about one of the dear angels I took from life. I decided to ignore it and continue with the day. It was still quite early as sunlight had only just began filtering through the gaps in the curtains.

After having a shower and getting dressed I decided to go out to eat; there was a local café nearby that looked nice. I'd walked past it multiple times on the way to work or when I'd been walking around the village and had made a note of going at the earliest opportunity. I seized my coat and shoved my keys in my pocket. Then I proceeded to unlock the door to my apartment and pace over to the elevator that was down the corridor. I pressed the button to go to the ground floor and stepped inside. The low hum of the yellow tinted light above me buzzed persistently as I rested my head against the wall and sighed. The elevator eventually slowed to a stop and the doors slid open with a ping. I stepped out the elevator and began walking out of the building and down the road to where the café was.

The brightly coloured letters pinned to the glass door of the building hung steadily, informing passers by that the place was open. A comforting but alerting Bell rung as a reaction to the door being pushed open steadily before I stepped forward, into the welcoming nature of the café. A sweet smell lingered and a calming pastel blue surrounded me. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply as I made my way over to the counter. A familiar looking person with shoulder length, brown hair stood behind the counter. They smiled softly at me and proceeded to ask for my order. They had a very safe atmosphere to them, comforting and welcoming almost as if saying that I was secure there.

A waiter came and waved to me, vaguely acquaintanced, and led me to a table, they smiled at me as they handed me a booklet like menu, they nodded.

"Please call for me when you have decided what you would like to order."

They bowed and turned away, with a little wave. I felt as though they knew me; they acted with a strange familiarity towards me, but I had no memory of ever having met them. Then again there were many people who they could have been.

After skimming the menu, I decide to settle on a banana milkshake and a jam doughnut. I glance around to try and find the waiter from before, around 3 tables down I spot her, the hyperactive, social girl from the elevator was there too. She seemed really happy and very comfortable around the waiter. She kissed the waiters cheek and smiled brightly, their face turned slightly red.

After a minute or so of watching them, the girl from the elevator noticed me, waved and walked towards me with the waiter. I panicked slightly, worried that they may have thought I was judging them or something.

"Can I sit with you?" she asked, jumping gently.

I nodded hesitantly; I didn't want to decline a request from a person as happy as them and risk bringing down their mood. I doubted a young, excitable person like them would end up getting caught up in anything and getting in the way. She took a seat opposite me and the waiter took our orders.

I smiled to the girl.

"Hello, my name is Delta. I saw you the other day, you seem very sweet and energetic. May I know your name?"