Rotten Ribbons

Chapter Two

(Y/N) was in their bedroom, going through grief at the devastating events of the day before. There was a hole in their heart that seemed to be sucking all of their happiness away, but they knew they couldn't dwell on that for too long, they had to face reality... and that's when they felt it, their ribbon was continuing to wilt, luckily their boss let them off work to cope with the loss.

It took all of your might to ignore the tears that stung your eyes as they continued ripping themselves apart. The pain in your chest was unbearable, a constant reminder of the void that now existed in your life. Your soulmate was dead, gone, and no matter how hard you tried, you couldn't fix it. They wouldn't be coming back.

You sobbed, the sound echoing through the empty room. It felt as if the walls were closing in on you, suffocating you with their weight. The world had lost its color, its vibrancy, and all that remained was an abyss of grief. How could life go on when the one person who was meant to be your anchor was no longer there?

A knock at the door broke the silence, interrupting your thoughts. You sighed, knowing it was probably just a delivery guy wanting your signature or maybe one of your friends stopping by unannounced. It wasn't that surprising. Everything felt trivial now, inconsequential in the grand scheme of your loss.

Dragging yourself out of bed, you wiped away the tears that stained your cheeks and made your way to the door. Each step felt heavy, as if you were trudging through quicksand. Opening the door, you were met with a familiar face, one that brought a mix of comfort and confusion.

"Hey, kid," your boss gave a weak smile, his voice sounding strained, "just wanted to drop off some new paperwork."

You simply nodded, and stepped aside, opening the door further so he could walk in.
He set the stack down on your counter with a sigh, "(Y/N), hope this'll be enough. Don't hesitate to give me a call if you need anything else. I'm sure we can find someone better suited to take your position than me."

With that, he walked out of your apartment with a tired yawn, leaving you alone in the apartment once again.

You sighed, the weight of the world settling heavily on your shoulders. Leaning against your kitchen counter, you surveyed the emptiness that surrounded you. What will you do today? The thought lingered in your mind, taunting you with its open-endedness. There was a part of you that longed to escape the suffocating sadness that filled your home, but the prospect of facing the outside world felt overwhelming. The lingering grief clung to the air like a palpable presence, a constant reminder of the void in your heart that would never be filled.

Determined to find solace within the confines of your apartment, you decided to spend some time cleaning. As you reached for the broom, a cloud of dust rose from the bristles, filling the air with a familiar scent. The smell of dust, of forgotten memories, drifted into your nose, taking you back to simpler times.

You paused for a second, reminiscing about those days when you were young and carefree, playing house with reckless abandon. You would sweep your floors until they were clean, pretending that you were creating a perfect little world where everything was in its right place. It was an escape, a way to forget how lonely you truly were.

But now, as you swept the floor with practiced motions, a bitter realization washed over you. This wasn't a game anymore. You weren't playing house. This was your reality, a hollow shell of a life that had lost its purpose. All hope seemed lost, as if there was no place left for you to go. The weight of your grief threatened to swallow you whole, dragging you down into the depths of despair.

As you continued to sweep, a strange sensation overtook your senses. Though your mind told you not to be irrational, a flicker of something unfamiliar stirred within you. It was almost as if the air around you shifted, carrying a whisper of possibility. Your heartbeat quickened, curiosity mingling with caution.

You set the broom aside, allowing the silence of the room to envelop you. There was something different, something you couldn't quite put into words. The room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for you to uncover the source of this strange sensation. Hesitant yet intrigued, you followed the pull, the invisible thread of destiny leading you forward.

Your steps took you towards the window, your gaze fixated on the world beyond. The once familiar streets now seemed foreign, as if they held secrets waiting to be unraveled. The city was alive, bustling with activity, and yet you felt like an outsider looking in. It was a paradoxical existence, feeling so detached from the world that continued to move forward, oblivious to your pain.

And then, as if in response to your unspoken yearning, a soft breeze brushed against your cheek, carrying with it the scent of blooming flowers. The petals of hope unfurled within you, a fragile yet resilient bloom that refused to be snuffed out by the darkness. The room seemed to brighten, the heaviness in your chest lifting ever so slightly.

In that moment, you made a silent vow to yourself. You would honor your soulmate's memory, their love, and the essence they left behind. You would not allow their loss to define you, to consume you. Instead, you would let their spirit guide you towards a life filled with love and resilience. You would learn to live again, to find purpose amidst the wreckage of your heart.

With newfound determination, you left the broom behind, knowing that the cleaning could wait. Today, you would step outside, breathe in the scent of the world, and embrace the unknown. The journey ahead would be arduous, filled with twists and turns, but you were ready to face it head-on. The ribbon of fate, though wilted, still held the promise of a future yet to be written.

And as you stepped out of your apartment, a glimmer of hope ignited within you, illuminating the path that lay before you. The journey towards healing had begun, and with each step, you would reclaim your strength, your purpose, and your capacity to love.