Tales in the Shadows

I - Ending and Beginning

The sky was a bruised purple, thick with clouds of smoke that blotted out the sun. The end had come suddenly, a dark twist in the tale of life, and yet the world seemed strangely still as if holding its breath.

People were running, panicked voices filling the air, and sirens wailing in the distance. But Neaki heard none of it. Her mind was silent, focused on one thought, one name: Tine.

For a week, she'd tried to forget him. She'd tried to ignore the ache that twisted in her chest when she saw his empty chair in class, the lingering scent of his cologne on her jacket, the memory of his laughter filling every quiet corner of her life.

Their break-up had shattered her, a clean cut that left her reeling. Tine had made it clear: he couldn't be with her anymore, not after what she had done.

She had let her jealousy consume her, dragging them both down and harming his friends-his people, as he'd put it with that same quiet sadness. The hurt in his eyes had been like a knife.

As the world around her began to crumble, Neaki felt herself pulled back to him, drawn by a force she couldn't deny. She ran through the streets, her breath ragged, dodging others who were fleeing in the opposite direction.

Her heart pounded with every step, her body aching from exhaustion, but she pushed herself harder. She needed to see him. She needed to make things right, even if there was no time left.

The last time she had seen Tine, he had barely looked at her. He had been silent, his words measured and distant. She had begged him to understand, to see her remorse, to forgive her mistakes. But Tine was resolute.

"You hurt people I care about, Neaki. I can't look past that," he had said.

She had been reckless, jealous, and she knew it. She had wanted his attention all for herself, afraid of losing him, so she had pushed others away. It had backfired spectacularly, costing her not only his friendship but his love.

Now, as buildings cracked and cars overturned, she found herself nearing his neighborhood. She saw his familiar apartment block, dark and looming against the ominous sky, and relief washed over her.

She pushed her way through the front doors, her legs trembling from the climb up the stairs.

On the fifth floor, she stopped in front of his door. Her fist hovered for a moment before she knocked, her heartbeat thundering in her ears.

She half-expected him not to answer, maybe to already be gone, but a moment later, the door opened. And there he was. Tine.

His eyes widened when he saw her, and for a heartbeat, there was a flicker of something soft and familiar in his gaze. But it quickly hardened.

"Neaki," he said, his voice low.

She wanted to throw herself into his arms, but she forced herself to hold back. "Tine, I...I had to see you," she whispered, barely able to find her voice.

"I know I hurt you. I know I can't change that. But I didn't want things to end like this."

Tine's jaw tightened, and he looked away. "Why now, Neaki? Why come now?"

"Because I love you," she said, and it came out so quietly, she wasn't sure if he even heard it.

"Even after everything, even after I ruined everything...I can't let you go."

He stayed silent, but his expression softened just slightly. "It's too late," he finally murmured.

"You hurt me, Neaki. You hurt people who were like family to me."

"I know." Her voice cracked, and she struggled to hold back her tears. "But you hurt me too..." she murmured

"I was wrong, Tine. I let my jealousy control me. I pushed people away because I was afraid of losing you, and I ended up losing you anyway."

She took a tentative step closer. "If this is the end...if this is really the end of everything, I don't want it to end like this. Not with us hating each other."

Tine looked down, his hands clenched at his sides. The silence stretched between them, heavy with words unspoken and pain left unresolved.

Finally, he lifted his gaze to meet hers. His eyes were tired, shadowed by hurt and sadness, but there was something else there too-a flicker of the warmth she remembered.

"Maybe...maybe it doesn't have to end like this," he said quietly.

Without another word, he reached out, taking her hand in his. His touch was warm and grounding, and for a brief moment, the chaos of the world seemed to fade.

Neaki felt a sob rise in her throat as she held his hand tightly, not wanting to let go.

They didn't need to speak. In that moment, as the world crumbled around them, everything was forgiven.

All the pain, the heartbreak, the misunderstandings-they melted away, leaving only the raw truth of their love.

He pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her, and she let herself sink into his embrace. For the first time in days, she felt at peace. She felt whole.

They stood together, holding each other as the ground shook beneath them, as buildings collapsed and flames erupted in the distance.

Their lips met in a kiss, soft and desperate, a final promise whispered between them. It was a goodbye and a beginning, an ending and a rebirth. In that moment, nothing else mattered.

The world could end, the skies could fall, but they were together.

When the darkness finally closed in, they held onto each other, facing the end with the courage that only love could give.

And in the last moments, as everything faded away, Neaki felt Tine's heartbeat against hers, steady and strong.

Their world might have ended, but in that embrace, they had found something eternal.

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The photo is not mine. Credits to the real owner.