Cupid 42

Chapter 5 : Stop

Just as Von was about to step out of the door, he turned round.

"Do-" his voice cracked and his face was invaded with bright red. He cleared his throat and started his sentence again, "Do...do you want to go....do you want to go to the cinema on the weekend?"

That moment kept replaying in my mind as I laid on my bed. I hugged my pillow tighter.

"...Yes."

"You're supposed to bury my idiocy!" I groaned to my pillow but then my cheeks began to show tints of red. I can't see it, but I can definitely feel it. I pulled myself out of bed and began to get ready.

....

I sat in one of the seats near the cinema's kiosk, waiting for Von. The butterflies in my stomach, fiddling my fingers and squirming in my seat made me feel like a teen girl on her first date, but I reckon teens these days don't act like this, do they? I laughed to myself as huge embarrassment rushed all over my body, and then I felt really old. Suddenly, a familiar figure walked up to me and I can't help but smile.

"We're in theatre 9, want to go there now?"

....

We strolled along the river bank, side by side. It's been a while since the movie ended and the city began to glow. I could see each individual light of each individual window, building and lamp on the other side as the wind got colder and colder as it blew past me.

"Here, careful, it's warm," Von said, handing me a cup of warm coffee while we sat on a beach next to the river bank. The once cold wind began to feel warm, like a summer breeze. I didn't know how this was possible, but it didn't matter. Nothing else mattered anymore at this moment. My eyes began to droop and the once bright lights of buildings and lamps were now just big, yellow blobs. It's just like that time at the train station, but more....it felt more peaceful and pleasant. The world got faster, but this time, instead of trying to tirelessly keep up, I just sat there.

My eyes were so close to closing, until I saw a dash of red flash before my eyes. My eyes slowly opened and I unfortunately felt like I caught up to reality.

0 : 57

0 : 56

Without knowing it, I was already on my feet. My slow walk began to turn into a light jog, and by the time I realised I was doing it, I began to sprint towards the woman walking in front of me.

Why are you running after her?

As I ran towards her, I looked around frantically. What is going to kill her?

I...don't know

Finally, my eyes landed on a hooded cyclist, clad in a neon green jacket.

What are you doing?

"Stop!" I desperately screamed, but the woman didn't turn around. Instead, her pace slowed down and her eyes were glued to the neon green cyclist.

I...don't know

"Please, stop!"

No, you're the one who should stop...

I was out of breath, but why? Why am I still chasing after her?

...because...

When I finally caught up to the woman, the cyclist was about to past her, but before he could, I barged right in between them. The cyclist lost his balance and stumbled to the ground, just like I did. A wave of relief rushed through me, knowing that I tried to save someone's life this time, but it didn't last long. I felt myself shatter to pieces as I heard an unnerving splash and frantic yelps of help behind me.

I was a coward. I didn't turn round, instead I shut my eyes tight, hoping it would go away, and the river currents did what I asked. The screams of help got carried by the current, until I couldn't hear it no more.

....you'll just end up killing her

....

*sheds a tear while realising this story actually got over 10 reads :')*