Eight Reasons To Live | d.s

Chapter 3

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I quicken up my pace, weaving in and out of the busy crowds. The full moon shines across the night sky, the stars glistening against the darkness. Even at night, London is busy. The city never sleeps. Laughter can be heard from all directions of the city. Something so warmly but at the same time so terrifying.

I clutch the beer bottle in my hand, occasionally taking swings of it. Funny how something so poisonous and destructive makes you forget everything for a while. The liquor burns but it's still enjoyable? It's the beauty of the burning and pain that lasts for a few seconds to make everything seem okay even if nothing is okay.

My house comes into view as I turn around the corner, the familiar street lighting the way. I fumble around my pockets, grasping onto the keys. The keys hitting each other causes ringing in my ears,making my head violently pound. I laugh at my stupidity as the keys slip from my fingers and land with a loud thud to the floor. Fuck sake, I curse, my voice slurring. After finally unlocking the door, I step in and take off my shoes, hang my coat and proceed to chuck the empty beer bottle in the bin before finding something to eat to make me sober up faster.

Plopping onto the bed I'm immediately consumed with darkness, my body shutting down as sleep grips me till the world switches of off and I don't have to face reality anymore.

The birds chip and chatter as the sun rises leaving blinding streaks from the half open blinds across my room. I groan and curse as affects of an hangover washes over me. My head throbs the more I try to open my eyes. Undefeated, I stretch my hands, picking up the medicine I laid the night before and swollening it with water, hoping the miracle of the medicine helps to remove the headache. I turn to the side and close my eyes again. Exhaustion sweeping over me as I crumble into yet another nap.

As usual, I enter the music store, the familiar warmth scent, hugging my body as I made my way to the exact same spot. I finally see another note. Hurriedly, I open it to reveal three words.

Those three words stop me dead on the tracks. Finally, I may be able to reach the person.

The wind rushes past me, the soft chilly air hitting my face as I race across the London streets. I dodge the civilians walking, constantly muttering "sorry" and "thank you". Those three words replay on my mind, like a loop that never stops. I quicken my pace, the note firmly clutched into my hand.

Slowing down I notice a figure sitting, perked up in front of a wall. The strange thing is, she's away from everyone. All alone in the middle of a quiet street. Briefly, I look at note, confirming if this is the place that's written. As I get closer I identify the figure to be a girl. Even from afar I can see her body shaking, trembling. Her head is buried between her legs, her pitch black hair blowing in the wind.

"Are you alright?" I call out, pulling my headphones away from my ears. I stop right in front of this mysterious woman, looking down as she becomes still. She just nods without lifting her head.

"I-I read your notes. I was the one who took them. I'm willing to help if you just let me help you." I softly explain, crouching down beside her.

"There's no reason to live." She lamented, finally looking up directly in my eyes.

Her hair was midnight-black and it flowed over her shoulders, framing her oval, sculptured face. She had a dainty nose, red due the cold and her crying. Her eyes were champagne brown, glistening with tears and sadness as she tried to avoid looking into my eyes.

"There are so many reasons to live. I can assure you that. It might not seem like it now, and trust me sometimes it's hard to see when you are surrounded in darkness however, the light will come. You have a purpose. You are worth it. You are worth of living."

"I don't think I am." She mutters quietly, shaking her head.

"Will you trust me?" I voice, her face shows confusion and she deliberates, wondering if she could trust someone who she just met. After a minute, she nods her soft brown eyes landing on my electrifying blue eyes.

"I'll promise you I'll give you eight reasons to live."

I take her hands in mine, pulling her up till we are face to face. She half smiles as she picks her bag from the ground.

"If after this, I don't find my reasons. I will leave but you also have to promise you won't come after me. No matter where I go, what I do, you won't follow me."

I think for some time. I have to prove my point. I have to help.

"Deal" I mumble my voice coming concerned. She notices the change however doesn't ask making me feel relieved.

"Sapphire. My names Sapphire."

"Nice to meet you sapphire I'm -"

"Dan Smith." She gushes, a smile lighting up her face.

I turn red from embarrassment. She chuckles as she walks ahead.

"Later Smith. Let's see if you can change my mind because I don't think so." She calls, walking away into the distance.

"Oh I will." I mumble, picking up a piece of paper she dropped.

I open it and it's another note.

Good luck trying but you will never be able to help me. I can't help myself I don't expect you to either.

At the bottom of the note states her contact and phone number. I shove the note into my pocket and walk the opposite direction.

I will give her eight reasons to live.

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