•weird•

•Bad Ending•

Word Count: 687

I stood there, on the rough stone of the sidewalk, tiny bits of grass and flowers growing through the cracks, in front of the house I once called home. It was a small house, small, but just enough for the two of us. And yet, it felt as if that once small house was towering above me. In my pale hands I clutched a crumpled up envelope. Inside was a piece of paper. The ink blotchy with tear stains, the piece of paper that tore apart my world, the piece of paper I read multiple times in the short hour, enough to memorize all the words and to smile at the little spelling errors in it.
I looked up at the sky, trails of tears yet to dry and leave ugly streaks on my cheeks. My lips opened in a soundless sob as I remembered. I was promised. Promised that there was only a year left. That we would spend the rest of our lives living happily ever after. I was stupid to believe it, stupid to believe that the dream I craved was to become reality. Life isn't a fairy tale for anyone ao why should it be for me?
The letter in my hand was the last one that was wrote to me. So happy about almost making it back home that the writing was barely legible, but I understood every word. Even with the slightly deformed letters and grammar at times that would cause most people to drop it immediately and search for a better read. It was the last one that was sent. Before the one everyone dreads. In it's ugly, crisp, white envelope with the government stamp, the contents stated in a monotone way, the fake "we are sorry for your loss" that stood out. They were printed by the thousands, each the same, the only difference being the names.
I watched as the couples around me leaped into each others arms, crying, but out of happiness and not sadness. Ecstatic to finally begin the life that they so wanted. Get married, have kids and watch them grow up, then die happily in matching armchairs, hand in hand with a smile painting their faces.
What was I even doing out here anyways? I smiled bitterly and stepped back into the house. I had made the trip earlier to the gas station and bought a few cans of gasoline. I poured it all over, the whole room glistening. Taking a match and lighting it with the lighter he always used for his smokes. I stared as the tiny flame grew bigger, dousing the tip of the small stick, before letting the tips of my fingers soften and release that stick. I watched it fall in slow motion, hitting the cold wooden floor I stood on with my bare feet. I closed my eyes and smiled a geniune smile. "I'll see you soon." I whispered. Holding his letter and a framed photo of us taken at the amusement park on our first date. I still remember it even after all these years, the chocolate smeared on our noses, the delight on my face as we won plushies from the games. This particular picture was from the rollercoaster, the wind whipping through our hair as one hand gripped tightly onto the safety bar, the other clasped together and raised high in the air. We were happy, of course we were, but yes, looks like I got the bad ending this life.
The fire burned through the house, along with me in it, but I didn't feel pain, only the tingling excitement of getting to see my love again. People outside screamed, pointed, and stared, calling emergency services that soon filled the air with the blaring sounds of their sirens. It all faded, my legs crumpling beneath me as my body sank to the floor, awaiting the fate that was to be burned along with the house and all the memories it stored.

I awoke and blinked. Taking in my surroundings, standing up and screaming when there wasn't a single person in sight. "Where are you?"