If Wishes Could Fly

When You Shouldn't Let Go

The wind howled beside her, swirling the thick leaves around her feet. Raindrops mingled with the tears sliding down her cheeks, absorbing the happiness that she once thought she had. Her lucid green eyes faded into the darkness, neatly covered by her thin burgundy hair. A few green petals that still remained blew out from the black hood that struggled against the weather. The light was dim under the broken streetlights and moonless night sky, the only light coming from a tall lamp at the corner. Her pace quickened as she headed towards the last fading light, hoping it would stay on long enough for her to see the drenched map in her hands. There was still time, there had to be.

He slammed the brakes on his car, skidding to a stop a few streets down from the only light that worked in his broken town. This had to be where she was. He just knew it. The wind blew against him, slowing his pace to a crawl as he headed towards the light. Locks of dirt brown hair flicked across his vision, only reminding him of her. How her hair always seemed to smell like flowers as he held her in his arms, only to let her go after a moment. He should have never let go. He broke into a run, pounding his feet against the pavement as he went. There was still time, there had to be.

Tears slipped away from their eyes, overflowing from their aching hearts that longed for one last touch. One last dance. One last look into the other's eyes. She sprinted to the lamppost, grabbing onto the cool metal as she slipped towards the ground. He saw her foot come out from underneath her and rushed to meet her falling body. He caught her in midair, wrapping his arms around her waist so he could press his lips against hers one more time. She threw her arms around his neck, letting him shelter her tears for one final moment. He pulled away, just to get a glimpse of the dim light reflecting against her eyes. Her arms slipped from his shoulders as she crumpled towards the sidewalk. She cried out, never strong enough for the pain. He pulled her closer, never strong enough for the last of the light drifting from her face. Sweet nothings floated through the air between them until he felt her go still. He laid her down in the puddle underneath them, watching as she seemed to smile at the comforting raindrops falling on her pale face.

He should have never let go.