Loneliness

Loneliness woke up, another cold morning, and there as usual to greet him was Pain.  Loneliness looked at his roommate.  Pain was large and powerful.  He looked the exact opposite of Loneliness, who was small and frail looking.  Pain sat on his own bed reading a book about World War II.  When Pain saw that Loneliness was awake, he acknowledged the other with a nod and then went back to his reading. 

Loneliness got up and went to the bathroom.  A while later he returned and got dressed into his usual clothes; his black rock music T-shirt with a picture of a large grey heart on it with a crack down it’s centre, his worn black jeans and his aged black boots. 

Loneliness went into the kitchen and turned on the radio.  There was a happy pop song playing, but as soon as Loneliness turned on the radio the song ended and was replaced by a sad love song.  Loneliness turned the radio off again and ate breakfast. 

After his meal, the pale looking figure rose and collected his long, black leather coat.  Loneliness left the house and went to work.  Work for Loneliness was not like a normal job, he had no office or place to get to on time, instead he would just go where he had to and visit those poor unfortunate souls that had been turned towards him.  Loneliness had no boss and no monthly quota to meet, he just did his work quietly, mainly unnoticed by everyone, except for those whom he touched. 

There was a cold wind blowing and an overcast to the day.  The sky was a darker shade of white, just one huge cloud as far as the eye could see.  Loneliness walked down the busy street.  The crowds that normally pushed people out of their way, unconsciously avoided the sad looking figure walking through them.  All the people around him were oblivious to Loneliness’ presence among them.  Most of these people were not lonely and would not be part of Loneliness’ attention this day.  But then as he walked on Loneliness felt the tingling within him.  Just ahead of him was his first case of the day.  A young, plain looking girl, who strolled along in no particular rush.  Another perfectly ordinary person.  She remained completely unaware as Loneliness entered her mind and touched the edges of her feelings.  This was a common case, a person with not many friends, an unsatisfying or unchallenging job and a small inactive social life.  There was no one she cared for in that special way that gives a soul purpose.  Loneliness saw how she lived her life and saw that she was indeed ready for his gift.  Loneliness left a small part of himself in this girl’s mind.  There, this small and at first unnoticed feeling would slowly grow.  It would fester and if left untouched and uncured, eventually it would attract another of Loneliness’ acquaintances – Sadness.  If Sadness came to this girl and left her a gift also, then that could eventually lead to this poor girl’s demise.  For with Sadness’ gift, there would come a visit from all of Loneliness’ peers, including his roommate, Pain.  With so many crushing emotions, a soul would normally crumble and give up it’s life. 

Loneliness turned from the girl and the crowd, trying not to think about what might happen.  He crossed the street, the traffic was never a problem as the sight of Loneliness, in his poor and feeble appearance with the aura he projected, always lead to sympathy and drivers would slow down and let him cross, like they would a stray dog. 

Loneliness entered the Town Park and walked down the winding grey path.  As he walked, a man and a woman walked briskly towards him.  Behind them Loneliness could see someone they couldn’t; Anger.  The couple passed either side of Loneliness and as they did he heard their sharp words to each other, words they did not mean, words they spoke because of the man shaped being behind them. 

Loneliness didn’t like Anger, he looked on him as a brute and someone to be avoided.  Loneliness and Anger had nothing in common, didn’t like one another’s company and were rarely seen together. 

Loneliness kept walking at his slow pace.  The trees either side of the path were shedding their leaves and the wind blew through them, pushing them on their little journeys.  The wind ruffled Loneliness’ dark hair as he continued on up the path with his hands in his coat pockets.  Loneliness walked slowly to the top of the hill, the central point of the park. 

Up ahead sitting on the grass, looking out at the city view that could be seen from up here, was a lone figure.  A man sitting with his knees up and his arms wrapped around them.  This man looked like more work for Loneliness, but a quick check in his mind soon revealed otherwise.  This was not a lonely soul, but a sorrowful one.  A scorned lover, deserted and left by the one he loved so she could be with another.  As Loneliness neared he thought about how long it would be before he would be back for this soul.  He also wondered if she would be here. 

Then she appeared and Loneliness felt his heart skip a beat.  She never really noticed him, but he hoped that one day, she might.  Today was that day.  As Loneliness neared her, she turned and stared at him.  Sorrow was the most beautiful thing that Loneliness had ever seen.  Her hair was a deep auburn and her pale skin looked smoother than glass.  Sorrow had been sitting next to the man whispering something in his ear, something that he would only hear in his mind and only really understand in his heart.  The look between Loneliness and Sorrow lasted longer than it should have before Sorrow got up and walked over to Loneliness.  They stood just a few inches apart looking deeply into each others eyes.  Loneliness loved the look of Sorrow that her eyes reflected so clearly.  No words were spoken as the two turned together and began walking.  Loneliness and Sorrow walked away together, hand in hand, the way they were meant to be.

Happiness hid back behind her tree and smiled to herself at this small, unnoticed victory.  For she knew that if Loneliness and Sorrow could be happy together, then maybe one day, she could finally beat her sister, Sadness, once and for all. 

Happiness turned to the man and caught his attention.  As he looked over she blew him a kiss and then turned brushing her long blond hair to one side and walked away. 

The kiss from the beautiful stranger made the man feel a little better.  He got up and things didn’t seem so bad anymore.  As he looked out across the city once more he suddenly felt a tiny, unexplainable feeling of happiness begin to stir within him.