Short Story Competition Entries

Mercy

MURDER SONG- AURORA {acoustic version}
~a dark and challenging love song.

This is my entry for RomanceSparks competition of Love Song Stories. Murder Song isn't a typical love song, but it has been described as a dark and challenging one. I find it such a beautiful and haunting song and I'm glad I've had the chance to use it in some writing.

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"You know I love you, right?" He whispers as he holds me in his arms.
"Of course I do." I reply, tilting my head so I can see his face.
"And you know I'd do anything to prevent you being unhappy?" He asks with a slight frown.
"I know, are you okay? You're acting strange." I sit up and look at him closely.
"I'm fine, I just want to make sure you know how I feel about you." He says with a soft smile.
"I already do." I relax, feeling comforted that he's back to himself.
"Good." I lie back down, my back towards his chest and his arms wrapped around me.
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"Take me somewhere." I sob into his arms the next day. "Can we please just drive somewhere? I can't handle the noise at the moment. Please, just us two."
"Of course, sweetheart. Whatever you'd like. Get dressed into something comfy and I'll grab my keys." He says as he runs his hand over my head and sits up. I quickly change into some leggings and a chunky jumper, sliding my feet into some boots as he grabs his car keys.

We walk downstairs hand in hand, and don't let go until we're in the car. We drive for about an hour until we're on a one way dirt road, out in the green-land where no people can disturb us. Where the noise of the insects and whistle of the breeze is all we can hear. He pulls into a squared dirt area, and we sit in silence, our breaths in sync, our minds at ease.

"Thank you." I say eventually, my eyes still staring ahead. "I just don't think I can deal with people anymore. I hate school, and work and my family. You're the only person I can trust, the only one who loves me. The only one who cares about me and how I'm feeling. I love you so much, but there's just too many awful things in life."

"I understand. I love you too, so much. And I can't bare to see you like this. Broken and hurt. You don't deserve it." He says, looking forward before turning to me. "Get out of the car a moment, I have something to help you." I do as he says and he gets out of the car too. Instead of heading to the front as I do, he moves to the boot of his car, and takes out a small package.

As he joins me, he fiddles with the bag, beginning to look anxious.
"You're everything to me." He says, planting a small kiss on my forehead. "And I can stop this pain for you."
"Please." I whimper, my voice coming out weak. He pulls out the object from the bag, and I gasp as I see it. He holds the gun against my head. My body tenses and I can't move. Fear taking over my body.

"I'm going to do this for you. I'm finally giving you mercy, sparing you from the awful things in life. I love you so much." He begins to cry but my ears start to ring. I try to move my hand, shake my head, anything. But I'm trapped. The fear is paralyzing me. I see his lips move, single syllables and I cannot comprehend what he's saying until the last word- "one."

I close my eyes. I hear a bang and suddenly I feel like I'm floating. I look down and see my fallen body. He's caught me, as he always does. But this time, I don't move. He sinks to the floor, still holding me in his arms. As he holds me tight, he cries and cries. Repeating two sentences over and over again.
I love you.
I'm sorry.
I love you.
I'm sorry.