Three Last Days - an emotional short story about Depression

Day Three - Kara

"For a father whose child dies, the future dies. For a child whose parents die, the past dies."-Berthold Auerbach

"If you had been there then ... I might have been able to help Kara ... She would still be alive," Aurora stormed out of the house, she stumbled and cursed, she cried and gasped, but she couldn't escape, the truth caught up with her. The sandy ground dragged her down, her feet faltered, she felt her body buckle and she fell to the ground. Aurora tasted the dirt on her lips, the hot tears rolling down her soiled cheeks, but also her racing heart, which would explode at any moment. Pain filled every single cell of her existence, her lungs screeched for air but choked on grief as the waves of realization and sorrow wrapped around her and sucked her deeper into the ground.

Aurora's silent weeping became one with the roaring wind, she simply lay there and forgot the world for a moment. Truth. Now she knew the truth. She knew it and at the same time wished to forget it all again. "It can't be," Aurora sobbed, that was all she was capable of, that was all she wanted. She just wanted to see her daughter again one last time and ... just hug her."Kara ... I'm so sorry. I should have known. I should have saved you," Aurora buried her face in her hands, the sand sticking to her tongue. Faint calls of birds sounded in the background, but Aurora didn't hear them either. She was unaware of anything but her pain. "Aurora, please, I know that my apology won't change anything, but you can't blame yourself!" Josephine knelt down, her eyes swimming in tears, her fingers trembling terribly.

"Yes, Kara died because of me. Because of me, because of us!" Aurora screamed softly. She didn't want to look up, she didn't want to open her eyes, never again. She could already see Death standing in front of her, with his dark, flowing cloak and his unmoving face, showing not a single emotion. "It's time," Aurora heard him say. "I wish I could turn back time... and change everything," Aurora sat up slowly and stared at the sea. The waves crashed against the embankment, the white foam swallowed up the fine sand. Josephine wanted to hug her friend, but she refused.

"It's all too late now. Your excuses, your lies, your empty words - I don't care anymore. The truth has opened my eyes, it has shown me that we are all to blame for Kara's death ... and I will never forget it," Aurora murmured weakly. Romy was too ashamed, she didn't dare step outside, she leaned against the door and swallowed. "I don't want to see you again. Never again," with that Aurora stood up in the roaring wind, her black hair fluttering, her clothes being torn back and forth, and she strode down to the beach.

"You've said it all, this meeting is over. Farewell. Return to your world. To your lies, to your illusion," she whispered, stomping through the sand. "These were my last three days with you. Forget me, forever. I'll never think of you again, never again!" Aurora stumbled, sobbing. Romy and Josephine looked after her in despair.

But she got up and followed them. No one dared. No one dared to leave their illusion, their own lie. So Aurora walked lonely towards the sea and imagined Kara holding her hand. Aurora smiled. 

"Kara. I'm coming," she whispered softly.