Veil Of Shadows

Ashes in the wind

I sank to the floor, sparks of exhaustion shooting down my legs.

My head thumped as I dwelled upon my final moments, consumed in anguish, trembling with emotion.

Hunched over the edge of the street, I traced my finger along the dark stains and scars covering my hands.

I dared not move.

I focused on his blank expression, staring silently, unable to speak. Slumped motionless, I embraced my solitude, though to my misfortune I was not yet alone.

Suddenly, he grasped my arm, snapping me back to the world I failed to escape.

"Please, Nalia, for me", he begged, and I recalled the pain as his grip tightened around my wrist. He stood before me, commanding his words, "Don't leave." Wincing as he ordered me, he gazed back at the face that he had painted with lies. Staring at my 'eyes of beauty, only made for his gaze'. Brushing his thumb across the wrist he seized: 'my hands of silk'.

"If you leave, know that you tear out my heart and carry it with you."

Sighing in guilt, gasping for air, I pleaded. "If you love me like you say, as you adore the 'angel in my heart', you should see the pain you put me through!"

His gaze darted down to his hand: a harsh vice still welded to my frail arm, "no no I-" he stuttered releasing his grip. He straightened up looking me in the eyes, "I won't hurt you. I don't hurt you" slowly his hand stalked up my arm, inching towards my face - when finally, he brushed my cheek "Just-"

"No!" I snapped.

"You have caused me too much pain just telling me of how you will hurt when I leave," I peered back at him: eyes ablaze, with quivering lips of fury and despair. I refused to condemn to his loving attack. I heard my breath heavily pounding while I gathered myself to respond.

"You talk of my effortless hair and my form of a goddess, but that just proves that you possess no love for the real me. You choose to love nothing but my image, embedded in your fantasy! That is why you beg me to stay. Trapping me as a pawn in your happy life!"

Suddenly I gasped for air. Squinting my eyes, I snapped back from my vision.

I felt again for the street I sat on. The floor still damp and cold as the late-night shrouded in. My chest thumped again, echoing in my throat. I felt blood rush through my body, trembling my legs. In attempt to recover I steadied my breath, though I was unable regain control it as it hitched in lungs.

I met with his eyes once more capturing my breath, as I built the courage to speak. To properly speak. "Goodbye Mitchell" I drew my hands from my face. Wiped the tears form my eyes and the memories from my mind.

My heart pounded as his stood still.

I placed a letter on his chest, the letter I wrote, accounting his final moments. I knew what I would have said, and I knew what he would have done. But it was too late. I stared back at him - dark iris: eyes so empty no sole beneath, his hands so limp so blood left within.

Releasing a match, I set fire to the letter, leaving them both to burn in hell, to be nothing but ashes in the wind...