All That Fell Down

2

"You know you're the only thing keeping me going these days."

"Likewise."

Two souls, sealed in human bodies, masked in false identities, held each other's gaze in the dim light of the bar in Zeamstrout where everyone had to wear masks.

Famous for preserving anonymity while having zero tolerance for heinous behaviour, the bar brought two struggling individuals to each other, lessening the pain of their independent life journeys.

"It would be nice to see you," the one wearing the wolf-mask uttered.

The owl-masked one turned to look at them, having stopped swirling their drink midway.

Silence ensued.

The bar hummed with clanks and soft chatter.

Wolf-mask's heart beat louder.

The eyes of the owl were intimidating, trying to perceive their secrets, beyond the façade of a mask and casual conversation.

Trying to perceive them. The real them.

A shudder down the spine.

The bar felt hot.

Flooding regrets.

The feel of a hand on hand.

Skin on skin.

The wolf looked down.

Freckles and pale skin touching their tan hand.

"Not here," the owl whispered.

That night, a wolf and owl left AnonBar of Zeamstrout, hand in hand, starting a story without knowing how it will end.

---

"Why an owl?" Zorya asked, reminiscing about their early days.

"Their eyes have a way of piercing through deceit," Cassandra still held Zorya's hand, gaze, and attention, "I was tired of sweet lies." Zorya smiled, understanding finally. "Why a wolf?"

"They are loyal, intelligent," Zorya explained, tightening her hands around the freckled ones, "and they have an appetite for freedom. I was tired of being held captive." Cassandra smiled now, amazed by Zorya like she always was.

"You want to talk about how you almost ended our story before it barely began?" the redhead asked Zorya.

Zorya chuckled. "Of course. Because you were my enemy."