Writing Contests Entries

Contest #35 - Rest In Peace

Grief and sorrow filled my heart. Not for myself, but for my family. My younger sister was sitting on my bed with my parents' arms wrapped around her. Tears poured out of her eyes, my parents were leaning their heads against each other, their eyes were closed but I could see tears rolling down their cheeks. 

"He can't be gone, he can't be", My sister managed between sobs. 

My parents tightened their grip on her, "He will always be with us in our hearts", My father said trying to comfort her. 

My mother suddenly looked up and looked directly at me. I froze. Could she see me? I reached my hand out to my mother wanting so badly for her to take it, but she looked away and returned back to her position. I was left feeling confused and hurt, what was going on? Surely if my mother could see me she wouldn't ignore me right? 

I stepped forward and put my hand on my mother's shoulder to see if she would react. I felt a surge of sadness when she didn't. Maybe she hadn't really seen me, something must have just made her look in my direction. I should have known better than to hope, the last time I gave in to hope I was betrayed. My eyes squeezed shut in pain, I couldn't stand it anymore I had to leave them. With one last look I turned to leave. I was expecting to find the hallway, but I was surprised to find myself in my best friends' room. 

I felt an ache in my chest when I realized I walked in on a similar scene. My three best friends were doing the best they could to comfort each other. I didn't understand why I was here or how I had even gone from my house to this one. But I was grateful for the chance to see my loved ones one last time. 

I walked to the bed and saw that they were looking at one of our photo albums. We had been best friends all our lives and kept photo albums together. I leaned in to look at the photos too. I smiled sadly at the memories. I saw tear drops land on the photos, and even though they couldn't see or feel me I hugged them. I stayed with them for as long as I could bear the pain, and when I left I found myself in the hallway this time. Unsure of what to do now, I walked out of the house and stood in my street for a long time. I reflected on my life, the amazing and hard times I had with my family and friends, the things I had accomplished and the things I had wanted to do but now never could. I jumped when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"It's time to go".