Short Stories + Contest Entries

Never Again...

A bird chirping faintly from outside buzzes in my ears, and I awake from my slumber. Eyes, fluttering, I moan and stretch out my arms and legs like a cat. My body aches all over, and my face is completely stiff. As my right arm peeks out from under the covers, I pat the space next to me to find that side of the bed cold, and unoccupied.

My eyes widen, and I sit up in concern. Sweat sticks onto my neck, yet I feel far from warm. The thought of heat scares me.

"Levi, my love. Are you here?" My voice is as croaky as an addictive smoker.

"Sweetheart? Love?" I call again.

No reply is found, only the sweet sound of an empty house whispers around, and a familiar darkness comes to haunt me.

How odd. I haven't felt this way for a long time. Not since my last husband. Levi has made this obscurity vanish years ago. Why is it back again?

I cautiously slide off my queen size bed, and reach out for my fat framed glasses. The room has a bitter feeling that tingles my back, and brings my arm hairs to a stand. I seriously regret not wearing my long sleeve T-shirt and heart bottomed pajamas, this house gets so chilly!

But I still don't want to be warm.

This vibe of fear has me on edge, and longing for the security of warmth, but Levi is the only protection I need, he's my personal heater. Right?

Now if I could just find him. I bite my thumb nail, worriedly. 

I just don't understand where all of this panic is coming from!

The silence had become too much for me to bear, and adrenaline kicks in as if I'm next in line on a rollercoaster.

I need to get up and wash my face.

I scurry passed the cream walls and coffee draps to our umble bathroom attached to our room. Fresh cucumber wallpaper circles over the area, and the mirror at the end reflects the distress that consumes me.

I paddle closer to the girl in the mirror, and examine. Her eyes are puffy, and cheeks are bloodred. Crust sticks over her caruncle, and runs down to her chin. The girl's bronze hair resembles a tornado, and her lips are enlarged. This girl is me, but I don't recognize her.

I look so unhappy, but this can't be so. Why does it seem as if I was crying? Levi makes me feel beyond any emotion I've ever experienced!

I turn the faucet on, maneuver my glasses to sit on my head, and splash ice water on my face. I wipe myself down with a towel hanging on the nearby rack, and rub my eyes in agony.

It's okay, I'll find him. Why am I so worried about all this? I know he's here. I'll find him.

I secure my glasses back on the top of my nose, and glimpse all over the bathroom's area. I know for a fact that he isn't in the shower or using the restroom, and my mind tells me to search the closest in hopes to find him there. He's probably just being indecisive over which suit to wear for work. I'm sure he's there.

Work? Does he work today? What day is it?

I flick the light on, and my face falls. Nothing but clothes greet me.

Oh! Maybe he's making breakfast. Weird, I usually smell the food's aroma when I wake, but he could've just started.

I exit the bathroom, and head out into the halls of the rest of our home. This was Levi's place long before it was mine too, but this house is where I've had the most wonderful memories. Late night pizza on the couch, watching movies together, studying for final college exams, but mostly crying on his shoulder when I needed it.