Beautiful Minds

Destructive

As my roommate began playing music again, I couldn't get out of my dorm faster. I've had overstimulation for today. I was incredibly lucky to have a balcony, because I spent most of my evenings there if I could. I leaned my elbows on the stone fences, while listening to my own music using my MP4-player. I stared at the willow tree in the center of the square. I noticed the lights of Marley's room turning off, perhaps they and Dakota were heading to bed. The sky was slowly getting packed with clouds. It seemed like my stay on the balcony would be short-lived. Small drops of rain already fell down. I detached myself from the fence to head back inside, but before I turned around, I suddenly noticed a figure walking over the square, past the willow tree. The figure was walking slowly. I squinted my eyes, trying to figure out through the fog who would be walking in the rain so late in the evening. "Marley?" I spoke softly to myself. I recognized the clothes they were wearing today, as well as their half-long brown wavy hair. I stared at them confused, watching them head to the exit of the plaza. A shock went through my body when I realized where they were headed to. The bridge.

Without hesitation, my body turned around and sprinted out of the room. "Where are you going?" My roommate asked. I had no time to answer. The door was slammed shut before she could even finish her sentence. I ran down the stairs as fast as I could, and then ran outside over the square. It had actually started pouring by now, the raindrops were thick. But that didn't stop me. "Marley!" I shouted once they got in my view. They continued to walk, nearing the bridge, not at all distracted by the heavy rain. "Marley stop!" They didn't seem to hear me. They just kept on walking at the same slow pace, reaching the bridge at last. My legs kept running as fast as they could, scared that I wouldn't be on time and fearing for the worst. Yet at the same time, I had no idea what was going on. All I knew is that they were in danger. "MARLEY!" Somehow I managed to run even faster when I saw the figure turn to the ledge and slowly climbing on top. I finally reached the bridge as well. "STOP!" I had never shouted this loudly, but my attempts did not reach them. I was almost there. They now stood up straight, looking straight forward, with no hint of emotion on their face. "NO!" I sprinted the last few meters as I saw them lifting a foot from the ledge, ready to drop their weight. But within this process, I managed to grab their white shirt and pull on the fabric as hard as I could. They lost their balance and fell backwards, headfirst on the stone bridge, leaving them out cold.

Raindrops fell on my body, soaking me as I slowly came to. I opened my eyes and grunted. My head, it was killing me. "Marley!" A panicking voice made the headache worse. I coughed, trying to breathe better than the slight hiccups my lungs were producing. Only now I began to notice my surroundings. I was outside in the cold, and it rained heavily. From the dizziness, a face appeared in my view. "Azlin?" My voice sounded weaker than expected. But luckily my headache finally faded slightly. I grunted, trying to sit up, but I couldn't do much other than lean on my elbows. My whole body hurt. I could hear Azlin panting very heavily. She sat on her knees with her hands on the floor, focusing on recovering her breath. I looked at her and frowned. My eyes widened when I realized where I was. On the bridge. "Wha-" "Listen," Azlin began as she spoke through her heavy breathing, "I understand that this whole 'target of a murder case' thing can make you feel bad, but... but this is not the answer." She had to speak loudly through the rain. I frowned at her words. "You could talk to your therapist. Or... we could talk about it if you have to. I mean, I've never really-" "Azlin, stop. What do you mean? What is going on?" I interrupted. I was finally able to fully sit up without my head hurting too much.

"You- you almost jumped." She said. My heart sank. "What?" "I tried to stop you but it's like you didn't hear me. I had to pull you off at the last moment. I didn't intend to let you fall so hard, but..." I tried my very best to recollect any memory of what she just described, but I couldn't. It scared me to think of how much it looked like the vision Azlin had described. I shook my head. "How did I get here?" Azlin now looked up at my shirt. "You don't remember?" She asked. I shook my head again. She got up from the floor, hesitated a for a moment, but decided to crouch down, take my arms and help pull me up. It must've been the first time she voluntarily touched me. I needed her help though. I slowly got back on my feet, gritting my teeth through the pain. I looked at her as I felt her emotions flowing through my body. Concern and care. She felt an urge to have us out of the rain as soon as possible, away from the bridge. I never knew she cared this much about me. I apparently really gave her a huge scare. It made me feel bad for her. Once I stood up, she quickly let go of me as she looked at the floor.