Forest: Ok, i fixed the ending to make it quite obvious that this is a one-shot and nothing else is going to happen.

Tears and Fog

The girl played with the hem of her shirt idly as she stared out her window, lost in her thoughts. A loud sigh escaped from her lips as she watched the red car pull into the drive way. What now? she thought, slightly annoyed. Who’s coming to see me today of all days? She pulled her fingerless gloves back on and hoisted herself from her window seat, with every intention of going down stairs to open the door and shout for the person to go away and leave her alone. Movement out side the 2nd story window, however, caught her intention. A figure emerged from the small red car and started towards the tree outside her window. The tree where she had sat with her beloved Eric all those years ago, 5 years ago that day. She cursed the weather gods for making that day foggy. Although it had suited her earlier mood, but now it just proved to be a hindrance. The blurred figure bent down and settled something between the roots she and Eric had always sat.

Tears formed in her eyes. What were the gods playing at? Send this stranger on that day to tug at her heart strings. Eric’s car had been red, the tree, the same spot, what did they want from her? Hadn’t they taken enough? They’d taken her love, her family, her freedom. Now they were toying with her emotions. Her mind screamed at her to ignore this stranger and his mystery package, but he body rebelled as she ran from the room, down the stairs, and out the door, making a beeline for the tree she had avoided for 5 years. She knelt in from of the plain brown box and picked up the envelope lying on top. Tears streamed down her face as trembling fingers lifted the flap and pulled out plain, white paper. Neat handwriting decorated the page. She choked out a sob as she began to read.

My dearest Rachel,

5 years is a long time. That’s how long they tell me I’ve been away. Dead they tell me. I ask them, “How come I don’t remember being dead?” People seem to be afraid of me. It’s very strange.

They tell me strange stories of you as well, my tell me you haven’t left the house in five years, except to do mystery jobs. When I ask them what jobs you do, they don’t answer. What secrets are you hiding love?

They tell me maybe, just maybe, you would leave again of your own free will, if I went to see you. But, they said, beware, for you haven’t been in the best state of mind, especially not today of all days. I wonder, has your heart been hurting?

Have you missed me, love? You needn’t worry. I am back, back for you, and I bring you gifts. In the box are gifts, proofs of my undying love. I am back for you.

All my heart, soul and mind to you,

Eric

She lurched forward, sobbing openly, all the pain she’d held back for years spilling out in the form of hot, salty tears. She couldn’t bring herself to open the box, just sobbed hysterically to no one, unable to stop. It was only when two strong arms wrapped themselves around her that she realized she’d never seen the car leave.

“I’m back…”