Short stories

Last breaths

The rope swung in front of me as my mind raced, do I really want to do this?

Yes, I thought, my brain filling with flashbacks, I think I do.

I took a step towards the stool.

My body was thrown into the locker and I crumbled to the floor,"You stupid slut. Leave something to the imagination, won't you?"

My eyes started to well with salty tears, "But I'm wearing jeans and a turtle neck?" I muttered, a question, but not.

"Pa-lease." Rina hissed kneeling beside me, "If it were any tighter, it would be your skin."

I didn't want this, "Please leave me alone..."

"Fine, whore. But next time?" She stood up, "Maybe save us all some trouble, and drop dead."

Another step, this one more sure.

A blade was pressed against my wrist, slowly moving and drawing blood.

I was sobbing, my body heaving, but a smile was fixed onto my lips. This was a welcome distraction...

But, it's never enough.

Another step, still more sure than the last.

His eyes never left her, it was like she was the only star in the night sky. It drove a knife into my heart and forced stinging tears into my eyes, because he was perfection in my mind. 

All she did was hurt him, but no matter what she did, he would forgive her. She hurt me too, my best friend... but that didn't matter to him. She could kill someone and he would hide the body. 

Why couldn't he see that she was slowly killing him? I could take her abuse and mood swings, but anyone could see it chipping away at his sanity and soul. Anyone but him.

I climbed the first step on the stool.

I floated just beneath the surface of the water, almost out of breath. Is this what it would be like, if I were dead? 

Then I broke the surface.

The second step, I could reach the rope now.

His grip on my neck was unrelenting, "You worthless child! Can you not do anything?"

I clawed at the fingers choking me, my vision going blurry. He shook me, "Well? Are you stupid?"

Then I was sent tumbling to the floor, air finally refilling my lungs, "I am not worthless."

"Yes, you are."

I grabbed the rope and put my neck in it.

Nobody is going to care, they aren't even going to realize I'm gone. I've been nothing but I waste of space, and a pain. THEY WON'T CARE, JUST DO IT.

As hard as I could, I kicked the stool out from under me. 

The feeling of the rope pressing on my neck, cutting off the air flow... it was strangely warming. And as my lungs started to burn, I couldn't help but smile. 

In front of me, the door was thrown open, "Karyn! Oh god, no!" 

It was his voice, melodic and enchanting. Why are you upset? I wanted to ask, I'm trying to free you from me.

But I felt his arms lift me up by my legs, and relive the pressure on my throat, "Are you still alive?"

Against my will, I gasped for air, and below me I heard him choke back a relived sob, "Take the rope off your neck, please."

He sounded so desperate that I complied. Slowly, he lowered me to the ground and let go of me. I collapsed and he followed me to the ground, "Why?"

Shaking my head, I started to sob. I felt his strong arms wrap around me and pull me to his chest, "Shh, you're okay. It's going to be okay."

"No," I choked out, "Won't"

A tear hit the back of my head, "Yes, it will, everything is going to be fine."

Reaching my hands to his face and pulling away from him, I wiped the tears from his cheeks and smiled at him, "I never was fine, and I never will be. But for now, I'm still alive."

Impulsively, I pulled his face to mine and kissed him with all the pent up love for him from the past two years. Our tears mingled as he kissed me back. 

Thank you Piercy, you saved me.