stardust|completed

t h e b e g i n n i n g

"the sky is blue like me and you"

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I remembered thinking that I could do it. That I could step straight in the pathway of that on coming train and I'd be gone. No more fear, no more pain, no more life, no more regrets. I'd be a mangled mix of blood and guts and body parts spread across the tracks and the front of the train. Who knows they might miss a finger in the clean up and some poor kid would find it in his backyard or while looking for smashed pennies in between the railroad rocks.

The train came closer and in that moment I felt quiet, I felt ready. I would welcome death with open arms and leave nothing behind. Before I managed to step in front of the immense hunk of metal, machinery, and momentum I heard what sounded distinctly like movement and the tumbling of rocks. Following basic human nature I turned towards the noise and saw the flick of a lighter about 10 feet away from me. Curiosity struck me and I found myself being drawn, like a moth towards the light, to the flame. I discovered a hand attached to the lighter and a boy attached to the hand. The incandescence of the lighter showed me the boys features. His pale skin reflected the flames and gave him the illusion of warmth whilst his grey eyes mirrored the small fire in his hands. His hair seemed to be the exact shade of the midnight sky and the black of his clothing blended into the night. I stood there, transfixed, by the rhythmic flicking of his lighter.

The train came and went, along with the plans of my death. The blaring horn now an empty promise of what was to be. I knew that I could wait an hour for the next train to come but I had missed my window of opportunity. The quiet was gone and the thoughts of the living came rushing in whilst the weight of the world rested on my shoulders, causing them to droop once more. I stayed rooted in my spot.

The boy and I were now in somewhat of a staring contest, both of us almost daring the other to break the silence. In the end it was me who shattered the serene air that surrounded us.

"Why?" The three letter, one syllable word held so much anger, tiredness, inquiry, and just a twinge of thankfulness.

"I'd figured I might as well save two lives tonight. Besides the train would've been a bit messy, no? And I'm quite sure neither of us would like our bodies to be spread out within a mile radius." He spoke casually, like he didn't just simultaneously ruin and save my life.

I stood there slack-jawed and a bit star struck. He simply continued his languid speech.

"I believe this experience was equally traumatizing and peculiar, so in honor of that would you like to join me for a cup of coffee at Rose's Diner?" He spoke like we both weren't on the side of the railroad tracks at 12:32 am, like I (we?) hadn't been just about to walk in front of a train.

I was still in a slight daze when I mumbled out, "Make it a hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and you've got yourself a deal."

He smiled crookedly and let out a laugh that seemed to make the stars shine brighter. Then continued to lead me back to civilization.

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I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS BOOK. as always I hope you enjoyed and feel free to comment. there will be much more coming very soon ☻ {d.c.} also it might seem a bit awkward but I promise it will progress.