Finding His Light

Chapter Eight: Dejection

Chapter Eight: Dejection

        The cold bit at Spirit's freshly exposed skin, stealing his warmth and making him shiver. He wrapped his scarf tightly around his neck. He only wished he was wearing a sweater of some kind. Although, he felt no regret in leaving his jacket with Stein. Stein, he wished he hadn't left him alone to himself. It seemed as if he didn't have a home. Spirit felt something terrible twist in the pit of his stomach. He just wanted to be home. 

        He pushed the thoughts of Stein out of his mind, trudging down the empty city streets. It took him thirty minutes to make it home. By the time he arrived his legs were numb with the cold and his skin was red with irritation. He scaled the stairs slowly, breath coming out harsh and fast. When he finally arrived at his place, a notice was taped to his door, informing him that he was to be evicted. The reasoning being anonymous. He felt his heart speed up with a sickening emotion. His hand tightened into a fist around the thin paper, crushing it. He brought his fist to his mouth and squeezed his eyes shut. 

        A sob slipped through his lips as he exhaled. He stood that way fro several seconds before retrieving his key from his pocket. He unlocked his door and entered swiftly. He shut the door behind himself, making his way to the bathroom. He turned the shower on, undressed and stepped inside. His chilled skin caught fire under the hot water. The pain blazed his body in wintry heat. The feeling temporarily subdued the feelings that threatened his happy facade. He found it just slightly refreshing. It was not at all an arduous task, and for that, Spirit was thankful. 

        It was much simpler for him when he didn't have to distract himself from the things that bothered him. He was greatful for the things that did the task for him. Although, eventually he knew the distractions would end and he would be left to his thoughts. At that point, he would try to sleep away the stress. As the burn left his body, he turned the water off and stepped out of the shower. He wrapped a towl around his waist, making his way to his bedroom, where he quickly pulled on a pair of boxers. He then collapsed onto his bed. 

        He lay flat on his stomach, burying his face into his pillow. A wet spot formed on it's surface, caused by Spirit's disheveled hair. He felt the muscles in his shoulder blades relax, if only slightly. Exhaustion hit him hard, seeping into every part of his being. He wished sleep would come more quickly. He didn't want to think about anything, he yearned for his mind to become a blank canvas, an empty space. But, sleep did not always come easily to Spirit, especially when he'd had a rough day. 

        It took him nearly an hour and a half to fall asleep. And, throughout that time he tossed and turned several times, finding it impossible to find comfort. Though, when the clutches of sleep finally captured him, he lay still as death. His slumber came with the sorrowful scene of a memory tucked deep within Spirit's mind.

        Spirit chased his older sister around the yard, shouting her name as she ran from him. Her long strawberry hair flying wildly through the air. 

        "You can't catch me, Spirit!" she shouted, giggling like a child. 

        She was five years older than Spirit, and still had a few inches on him. His nine year old legs just couldn't keep up with her lengthy teenage ones. The sun was high in the sky, smiling down upon them. The sky was blue, very blue and multiple shades lighter than Spirit's eyes. He loved days like these, days were he could feel the sun's heat radiate over his skin, days were he could enjoy the warmth. Days like those brightened his life, made him feel happy. 

        Maybe that was why Spirit was so optimistic, maybe that was why he tried to see the good in everything, why he tried to make everyone happy. Spirit was having a wonderful day. He smiled ear to ear. The wind blew through his soft cromson hair, tousling it. He came to a stop near a tall tree, peering at a small nest on a low hanging branch.