At the end, one last time

'But I thought it would last forever?'

Mallory means 'unfortunate'. I can't imagine my parents gave me this name on purpose, or with the knowledge of what was to come. When I was 15, I ran into oncoming traffic in a busy highway, with the intention of ending it all. I felt the pain of the collision, getting thrown across the concrete road and the burning of my skin as I slid against the pavement. The abrupt stop, and my body shaking as all I could do was watch my blood colour the road like a paint spill.

I was sure that was the end. But the universe had other ideas, and bystanders looked at me in horror as I stood up and brushed myself off like it was only a fall. A wave of tranquility had subdued the pain in my body, And with that, I walked home in disbelief and annoyance.

That was only the beginning.