Leave Your Mark

Last Words (TW)

TRIGGER WARNING: death

On my wrist there are seven words: "Hey, babe, have you seen my phone?"

Everyone has words, like me. But theirs...theirs aren't like mine. Theirs are something like, "Remember me," or, "take care of the kids when I'm gone," or, "I left a million dollars in the--" Because those are the last words their soulmate will say to them. It's poetic, you see, for you never know if someone is your soulmate until they're ripped away from you. Death is the most common, but I knew some kids whose words were, "Did you do the homework?" Those kids grew up never knowing who their soulmate was, and knowing they'd never see them again after graduation.

But not me. No, my words are the most mundane, the most common thing a partner can say to you. That's why I always made sure my boyfriend, Jacob, had his phone with him at all times.

It was an ordinary January afternoon; the sun was settling on the horizon by five o'clock, snow was melting into the frozen ground, I was wearing a big fluffy pink sweater. Jacob and I were cuddling on the couch, distractedly touching each other; running fingers through hair, over arms, gently massaging shoulders, and just generally enjoying each other's touch. I suddenly pulled at his wrist when the blond man in the television show was rendered unconscious by a monster.

"Sorry!" I squeaked, releasing his hand.

He chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm fine. Besides, I think it's cute when you hold my hand when you're scared."

"Have I mentioned I love you?" I said, fluttering my eyelashes.

Jacob tapped his chin. "Maybe once or twice or a billion and three times," he said, grinning as he leaned down to kids my lips. As the kiss became deeper and more passionate, the blond television character and his brother were soon forgotten. All was as it should be.

"S-stop," I whimpered after pulling away for air.

"Why should I stop, princess?" He asked, pulling back with a look of concern on his face.

"Because," I panted, "you're turning me on and we were supposed to be watching the new episode on TV."

"Fine." He rolled his eyes. "But, after the episode is over?"

"You can have all the kisses you want," I reassured him, booping him on the nose with my finger. He lifted his arm back up and I snuggled into the me-shaped space against his side.

It turned out that I fell asleep--oops--towards the end of the episode. I woke up in bed with Jacob's arm around my waist and his face buried in the crook of my neck.

I smiled and nuzzled my cheek against his soft hair, then realised I had to use the restroom. I started to get up, but his grip around my waist tightened. Still half asleep, he murmured something that sounded like, "Stay. Warm."

"Jakey?" I whispered.

"Mm?"

"I have to pee."

His arm immediately snapped away from my body. I got up, stretched, and padded to the bathroom. While I was in there I noticed that I was still in the clothes I had fallen asleep in and decided to shower. I was in and out pretty fast, but it was getting dressed that took the most time. Ever put on a bra with wet skin and hair? Not what I would call 'easy.'

I was fully dressed and towel-drying my curly brown hair when I heard Jacob's voice shout out through the apartment, "Hey babe, have you seen my phone?"

I immediately froze. I prayed that it would just be a coincidence and that today wasn't the day. It was too soon! We hadn't had enough time! He was too young!

I heard a thump. Fuck.

I rushed into the kitchen. The morning light streaming in from the windows was reflected in the pool of blood growing around the back of Jacob's head.

"Jacob? Jake! Stay with me! You can't--don't you dare do this to me! Stay--stay alive..."

But it was too late. It was confirmed. Jacob was my soulmate. And I lost him.