The Spring Anthology ✔

Cycle

Written by @TheOriginalSazzy

Cold hands were placed against the wall, looking for a way out of this desert. For so long, they just scratched at the pathetic picture of the outside world.

She knew it was dead. She knew it didn't exist.

So she placed her hand down, and walked to her nest of a bed, and closed her eyes, letting the sleep consume her whole.

Memories started to take form, of her standing outside in the rain. She didn't know where she was, but there was a big clock, which had a name. That's all she knew... the clock had a name. But she couldn't remember the name.

Her feet began to move, out of sync, causing her to continuously trip until she got to the edge of the bridge. She also knew that the river below had a name. It felt like a force, wanting to drag her down, like gravity did, but she didn't want to go down. The jump seemed too big, and she knew she would never make it.

But her legs seemed to climb over the bridge anyway.

Closing her eyes, she could still remember the cold. Hugging herself, she fell.

Then it began again. Another cycle.

This time, she was in a forest. The sun was pelting down at her this time, but she could still feel the cold seeking in. She wouldn't allow it. Taking a step, she crunched through the snappy leaves. Where was she? She had never been here before? Oh, yes, she has. She was near home.

Home consisted of warmth. A countryside where she grew up. Or so she thinks.

She can't remember simple things like that. She remembered a mother who cared, and a father who loved her.

Even though the thought warmed her mind, it didn't warm her heart.

Wedging herself out of the hole of despair, she made contact with a breeze.

"Stop looking for me."

She took a sharp intake of breath. Suddenly, she felt dizzy, and often, that meant she would be going to the normal world, but this time, she didn't think so.

Turning around, she face the most beautiful man alive. His clean shaven face made her almost cry in joy. His young eyes made her envy him and grew jealous of what she used to have.

He stepped forward. "I said stop looking for me."

She scrunched her nose up, looking away. "Why would I do that?"

"Look at how you've grown," he said, this time with a smile, but that quickly changed. "You need to leave."

"And go back to that place?" She exclaimed, however her weak throat made her sound horrible as she did. "I'm so cold, and lonely."

"You are cared for!"

That was a lie. Every single day, she would sit at the window, and wonder where her life had gone. She was so youthful, so adventurous, and now she was this... old.

"Please," he weakly said. "We'll be together soon. I promise!"

"I want to be here now."

As stubborn as she was, her heart complied with what the love of her life had said. She was back, looking at the picture of reality. It was dull and broken without him in it. It looked dead. He was dead.

She felt a warm hand on her shoulder, and yet still, it didn't warm her heart.

"Time to sleep," the voice had said.

That's when she smiled. Was it a sign? Was she finally going to be with him?

She walked herself towards her bed again, letting the darkness consume her again.

Letting the cycle repeat, over and over.