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-wide grin- Ah, Saeger, have I told you I love you? -laughs- Your argument is very true indeed. When someone, even just one person, likes these enough to review every last one... I think they're worth continuing... and so here's another.
By the way, in chronological order so far:
Secrets
Moonrise
Sunset
Sorrow
Silence
Right. Warning: this one is T (PG-13) for angst, a couple of swear words (very mild) and mention of violence. And then there's the usual implied vampirism/ lycanthropy, and even some hurt-comfort. Enjoy!
Sorrow
Irregular footsteps. Sound of weight hitting earth.
Muffled sob.
Concerned voice. “What happened?”
Choked. “She’s… she’s…”
Horrified sympathy. “Oh, no. Oh, I’m so, so sorry.”
Sniff.
Rustling fabric. Soft words. “Come here.”
Open sobbing.
Minutes pass.
Very softly. “How?”
Last choked sob. “It was a car accident. You know, one of those stupid things that just happen. She was on her way to the library to return some books.” Deep breath. “We were going to meet, there, and then go get some ice cream or something. But she…” Crying.
Gentle rocking. Soothing sounds.
Crying trickles down.
Silence.
Rain begins to fall.
“Why?” Anguished.
“Shh… No-one ever knows. There is no ‘why’. It just… is.”
“But why her? Why did it have to be her?”
“I don’t know.” Few seconds’ pause… “I’m sorry.”
Pause.
Bitter, now. “At least… at least it was fast.”
Questioning silence.
“The paramedics said it was probably instantaneous, just a sudden shock and then nothing…” Voice cracking.
More soothing noises.
“Her neck was broken. It had to’ve been instant…” Trails off.
“It was, don’t worry, it was.”
Haunted. “But then I imagine her laying there, unable to scream, unable to cry, bleeding, breathing, and knowing that she was going to die, and I wonder… It was a pileup. I don’t know what caused it, but the meds were so busy, so many other people, that nobody would have noticed her - hers was the last body to be pulled out of the rubble…”
Firm, gentle. “No. The paramedics know their job. She died instantly, my friend. There wasn’t any lingering pain.”
“But I can’t stop thinking…” Choked sob.
Sigh. “You need to. There was nothing that you could have done even if you had been there on time.”
Shudder. “But I was.”
Droplets patter raggedly against ground.
Attentive silence.
Screaming. “And I couldn’t do a single thing! Not a single damned thing to save her-“
“She was already gone.”
Almost fevered. “But we don’t know that.” Broken laugh. “And if she wasn’t, then I didn’t help her, and now she’s… dead.” Bitter. “What use is being - what I am - if I’m not even strong enough to save a friend’s life?”
Quiet. “You’re not being fair to yourself, you know. The wolf’s strength is not enough to move single-handedly so many junked cars, even had you been able to scent her over the chaos. It’s not your fault. Had I been there… But I did not know, and so was not.”
“You mean… you could have moved… I know you’re stronger than I am.” Pause. “Maybe, if I had been -“
“No. I’m stronger because I’m older, and my parents are quite old as well. Not just because I’m a vampire. If I were your age, I’d be about as strong, and maybe weaker.” Soft. “There was nothing you could do, could have done.”
Silence.
Splashing of rain hitting ground.
“Only two who didn’t care… And now she’s gone. And now there’s only one left. And there’s nothing I can bloody well do about it.”
“I’m still here.”
“No-one else is.” Short, caustic laugh. “I feel like Job. Friends gone, family gone, health long gone… what’s next, my home? My job, maybe?”
“I could quote you platitudes about the crucible… But somehow I doubt they’d be appreciated.”
Shuddering sigh. “I wish it were just a dream. Maybe I’ll wake up, and be late to the library, and she’ll scold me, and I’ll come back here later to see if you brought my book back yet, and everything will be back to normal.” Choked. “Oh, God, I wish it were just a dream.”
Gentle rocking.
Quiet sobs.
Whispered prayers.
Rain drops fall.
