In this short story collection characters are faced with the realization of how the real world we live in really is. How the most beautiful things, are able to shred us to pieces.
A girl who is protected by her past.
Another who isn't as important...
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"I love you." My boyfriend pecks my cheek before rushing out the door.
He is late for work, again. He took his time getting ready and eating breakfast, so now he has to sprint to the office. He was also up late last night preparing a project.
He has been working so hard for a promotion and I know he is getting there. I continue with my homework until the clock strikes noon. I put on my shoes and head to work.
Opposite to James, I work as a barista. This is only temporary, in a few months I will finally get my degree.
I enter the coffee shop and greet my manager and my coworker, Emily. I put my bag down and wear my maroon apron.
Customers come and go. I try to keep my smile up with everyone, but with certain people it just isn't easy. Some are having a bad day and use me to dump all their negativity on.
This job can be mentally draining at times, but I need it. I can't rely on James for money, that would make me feel terrible. We already live together and that's a major help.
There is a small TV in the corner and I glance towards it from time to time. It's always open to a news channel and as much as it's mind wrenching, it's one of the only ways I can catch up with the world.
Robberies; political arguments; car accidents; murders, there have been a lot of those lately.
We live in a world where things like this happen and not many care.
On my lunch break I don't text James as I usually do. I know he will be busy today, and I don't want to be a distraction.
"Ash?" Emily calls out.
"Yes."
"I have to leave half an hour early today, I'm sorry." The last hour of our shift usually implies us cleaning before closing. I sigh before nodding.
"It's ok. You have to spend as much time with your grandma as possible." Her grandma is terminally ill so Emily sometimes leaves a little early to go and visit her. I can't blame her for wanting to be with her in her last moments.
"Thank you!" She engulfs me in a hug and I hug her back.
Emily works hard to clean as much as possible at the end of the day. I'm grateful to have her here, she makes everything a little more fun.
"Goodbye Ash! I'm sorry again."
"Don't worry about it. It's only a half an hour, I'll survive." She smiles brightly and rushes outside.
I plug in my earbuds and get back to cleaning the counter top. I hum along with the song and I continue with the rest of the tables.
When I finish, I check my phone. A message from James brings a smile to my face.
Be careful on your way back baby :)
I will <3
After replying to him, I grab my bag and head out. There are still a few people walking around, but as I get closer to home, the place becomes quieter. The only sound that can be heard are my shoes hitting the ground and the wind whistling. Our apartment is in a small neighborhood, so silence like this is common.
But this time is different.
Something is wrong.
A chill runs through my body. I no longer feel safe. I pick up my pace, but then my body comes to a stop when an ear piercing scream fills the air.
Around there's nothing suspicious. I grab my keys from my bag and hold them tightly. A crying sound starts coming from a dark alley. I walk slowly to its entrance.
For a while I don't hear anything else. That is until I hear another scream. I flinch and jump back. A few feet in, I can see two silhouettes.
One is on the ground, while the other is stabbing them continuously with a knife. The person on the ground is shaking and choking on their own blood.
"N-no...p-please..." They whisper. I recognize that voice.
Emily.
My hands are shaking and I step back more. I grab my phone and call 911.
"911, what's your emergency?"
"I-I'm currently a-at M-Maple Street... and someone is...is being k-killed." My whole body is shaking as I try to not talk too loudly.
"The authorities are on their way, miss. Please don't go near the scene." I tell them to hurry and close my phone.
"Hello there baby." I turn towards the familiar voice, slowly.
James standing at the entrance of the alley, holding a bloody knife. His clothes are covered in blood and dirt. On this face there is smeared blood too, but also a psychotic grin.
"What are you doing here so late?" I shake my head while walking backwards.
No... this isn't him...this can't be any loving boyfriend...
"S-stay away from me!" I backward as he steps towards me. I take more steps quickly, but my feet turn to jello and I fall.
"Is there something wrong baby?" He tilts his head and stares at me from head to toe. He crunches down and drags me closer to the darkness. I try to kick him, but I fail. He brings his knife close to my cheek and wipes some of the red liquid on it.
"Don't worry, it will only hurt for one moment."
I try to run again, but before I can get out of the alleyway, he tackles me to the ground. He holds my arms above my head and presses on my legs with his knees. I try to move, but with no avail.
My vision is getting blurred from tears. My body is shaking from fear of death.
No, it can't happen like this.
He leans in and whispers in my ear three words that would have made my heart flutter a few minutes ago.
I have never written a story like this before. I like to write dark things at times, but not like this. It was fun nevertheless. (I wonder what that says about me...)
I had started a different story, but I couldn't write it. Maybe it wasn't time for it to be written. With no inspiration I went to my good friend Pinterest. I found a prompt that I really liked.
"Start your story with a positive sentence and end that story with the same sentence, but this time it's scary and unsettling."
I thought about it and I chose 'I love you'.
It did take a while to write, since I've been really busy. I'm kind of proud of this one, but I could be wrong and it's trash.
