Redeemed

| Chapter 1- Caleb |

| December 11, 2017 |

Tee-hee. Starting a new story because I can't seem to finish my other ones. Oops. Anyway, this is a new short story I've been working on lately. The inspiration came from a member at my work who did or said nothing. He was just there and I came to my own conclusions so there's a small fun fact about this story xD 

Anyway, as usual, please keep these in mind. 

1) This is my own story. All characters, scenes, and settings are from me. If there is anything you find similar to something you know, it's COMPLETELY coincidental.

2) You are NOT allowed to take this story, steal it, or post it anywhere. This is MINE and by taking it, you are breaking a rule as this is copyrighted. You CAN and WILL get in trouble. Therefore, if you find this story anywhere else besides my page, contact me immediately through PM. 

3) My writing is clean, therefore please keep the comment section clean. I'm not a fan of cussing so please respect me and my story by keeping it free of foul language. 

4) I write for the sole purpose of writing. It's a passion and hobby of mine, however, there are days when I'm not in the mood to write so I put a hold on it. If you like this story and would like more updates, comment and let me know because those will boost up my motivation to write more. (I encourage you do that xD) 

5) Last but not least, please do enjoy and share your thoughts with me. I love sharing my works with others and appreciate any and all feedback. I want to grow as a writer so I'm sure there are stuff I mess up on. Therefore, don't hesitate to point out my flaws. 

Now, without further ado, here's chapter 1. Since it's a short story, expect short chapters but quite a bit of updates per week ;) 

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| Chapter 1- Caleb |

"Kaleigha! Kaleigha no!"

I wake up with a start, my screams the only sound echoing in the room. Darkness meets my sight and my sweat and beating heart are the only things I feel. My beating heart and the howling wind are following after my screams subside. The haunting images of my past replay through my mind. You'd think that after four years had passed the images would have blurred. But that isn't the case with me. If anything, they are as vivid as if it had just happened yesterday.

I close my eyes, feeling the warm tears trickle down my scruffed face and landing on my blanket. My hands are shaking, the band of my wedding ring cold against my forehead, quite the contrast to the burning sensation it gave me due to its meaningless now.

I sniffle and quickly wipe away my tears, knowing deep inside there was no point in shedding them. The past was in the past. But how can I let go of the past when they haunt me during my present?

I look to my left, seeing the time on my electrical clock. Three-forty-nine in the morning. I sigh and lay back down, the space next to me cold and empty. It was once occupied by my wife, Kaleigha, however, she is gone now. Gone with the birth of our daughter who also didn't make it.

I lost both of my girls that day four years ago and the nightmares are still ever present. I wish it was all a horrible nightmare but my nightmares are of the day they died in the hospital room that was supposed to bring them home safely.

I turn to my side and clutch the blankets closer to me, hoping that it could provide me the comfort my wife used to. It doesn't. I am still cold, alone, and scarred beyond recognition. I don't try to repair myself. I can't repair myself.

Kaleigha was, and is, the love of my life. I would say we were childhood sweethearts but that would be a lie. We were much more than that. We met as children, yes, but our love story wasn't as cliche as one would think. Our love ran deeper and stronger than imaginable and losing her was honestly like losing a piece of myself. And I also lost another piece of myself that was in the form of our unborn daughter that was stolen from me like a light stolen in the dark.

The tears are warm once again as they cascade down my cheeks. I stuff my face in my cool pillow, trying to stifle the sounds of my weeping. I find myself crying to sleep, a normal occurrence in my nighttime routine. The ache in my heart is too much to bear and sometimes I wonder if I'm better off joining my girls wherever they are. 

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