SHORT STORY COLLECTION BY LEE RAFAEL

Bicycle

As far as I remember. It was three in the afternoon when I went to that park.

I rarely visit that place but whenever I do. I know in myself that I'm stressed as hell!

I had a little walk, felt the cold breeze and even sat on that swing for ten minutes.

Now that I feel much better. I decided to walk now towards home.

But as I stand from this little swing. A guy with a bicycle approached me.

He smiles and offers me a ride.

"Do I know you?" I said to him.

"Not yet. But you'll find out soon." He answered.

He also told me that his bicycle is new and he wants to ride it with someone.

So... I accepted his offer since I'm a little bit tired. I sat in the middle and he starts to kick those pedals.

It was my first time doing this in my life and I can't lie. THIS IS FUN!!!

This bicycle ride made me smile and I forgot all of my problems for a short period of time.

Another five minutes was passed and we finally arrived. Glad that I instructed him the shortcut.

I thanked him and before he left. I asked for his name.

"I'm Aaron." He answered and smiled again.

I walked towards our main door and I suddenly stopped when I heard a shout coming from the other side of the street.

"Aaron come here!" This shout is coming from a girl.

I looked at Aaron and he says that it was his best friend calling him. He ran towards the street and left his bicycle.

I waited for him to return but twenty minutes had passed. He is still not returning.

I took his bicycle and left it beside the garage so when he returns. He will easily see it.

I went inside my home and this is where the real story starts.

The same evening, I slept early after I took my medicine. This medicine really helps me a lot.

But in the middle of the night. I suddenly woke up and I can't check what time it is.

All I know... outside the window is still dark so I need to continue my sleep.

I tried to grab the clock beside my bed but it's not there. I decided to sleep again without knowing the time.

The next morning, I woke up and realized that the clock is still beside my bed.

I did also checked the bicycle that Aaron left yesterday and I was surprised when I saw it still standing beside our garage.

The bicycle was left untouched.

He never returns to take his bicycle. So I decided to keep his bicycle and put it inside the garage.

Another day had passed.

I went back to the garage and saw the bicycle standing near the garage door.

I left this thing near the table which is far from the door.

But wait! I stared at the ceiling and realized that we have a surveillance camera!

I need to check it immediately why it happened.

I ran towards the computer and learned that the bicycle moves by Aaron itself!

But how did he managed to enter the house when everything is locked?

I think I need to confront this Aaron guy! But where can I find him?

I guess I just need to visit again the park where I first saw him. I took his bicycle and went to this park!

I waited an hour but he never arrives.

Then a middle aged woman walks towards me. She asked my why I have his son's bicycle?

I think this is Aaron's mom!

She asked me again why I have it. So I told her the real reason.

I said that Aaron offered me a ride but he just left this bicycle and never returns to take it.

"Of course he'll never returns." The lady answered.

"May I know why?" I asked.

"Because my son Aaron is already dead."

The lady starts to cry. I was left speechless and I realized that a dead person offers me a ride home.

She explained what happened to Aaron.

"He died two months ago when he took his own life. He was left depressed when he learned that his only friend Natalie died because of the same reason. He did his best just to save this girl but he failed.

Natalie called him saying this she is tired of everything. So my son rushed to Natalie's house with his bicycle. But my son was half a minute late since Natalie already pulled the trigger.

Aaron went back home and hugged me. I will never forget those words he said to me. 'I failed to save the person I love.' I can feel my son's pain.

Later that evening. My son took his own life by jumping off the cliff with his bicycle. We found his body and his bicycle.

I kept it inside the garage for two months but it's no longer there the last time I checked it.

And I was surprised that you have it. Maybe there's a reason why Aaron left his bicycle to you." The lady smiled at me.

"I don't know." I answered her.

"I think... this is the right time for me to return your son's bicycle." I thanked her and she finally left with his son's bicycle.

I cried since I can feel her pain. Losing a child is the worst nightmare for every parents.

I think I should be thankful for the life I have. Life is hard but it doesn't mean it's the end.

So as soon as I went home. I opened to my secret cabinet and threw away all the pills including the blade I used to cut my wrists.

Maybe Aaron wants to save me after all.

The next thing did is I hugged my mom while she's sleeping.

"Is there a problem sweetie?" She asked.

She cried as soon as I told her everything I went through.

I visited Aaron's mom and she told me that Aaron's bicycle never left the place again.

Maybe he's at peace already.

The next evening...

I had a dream of Aaron and Natalie waving at me as they walks towards the light. They are both genuinely happy.

I suddenly woke up from this dream and checked what time is it.

It's already six in the morning

The clock beside my bed is here and this is also the I first time I woke up without having any nightmares.

I guess everything went back to normal. Hopefully...