Grey skies clung low to the fading trees. A harsh wind spiraled around the dead bronzed leaves. Hollow footsteps reverberated off the cobblestone path as crimson orbs littered a trail behind the female figure.

She was clutching her right shoulder, fingers squeezing around the gaping wound. The deep gash across her abdomen throbbed in neglect. She tried not to make any sounds, biting back tears and looking over her shoulder. Drops of blood fell from her fingertips, splashing loudly against the cold stone.

She let out a yelp as she tripped over the rocks and fell onto her hands and knees. She froze. Tried not to breathe. Tears and blood screamed onto the uneven ground under her.

“There you are, m’love.” His voice slithered into her ear. She cringed as more water spilled from her fervor eyes. Thunder moaned overhead, reflecting the deepness in his voice. “My my, what a wonderful position I have you in.” he kicked her over onto her back. She cried out, grasping her bleeding stomach.

He stood over her, staring at her blood with wicked eyes. “So fragile.” He said absent minded, kneeling down next to her. “There there, don’t cry m’love.” He cooed and ran strong fingers down her face, wiping the tears away. She pressed her trembling lips together and closed her blue eyes tight.

“Please…” her voice broke like her soul.

“Don’t worry my dear; I won’t harm you any farther. I just wanted to see you bleed.” He moved her auburn hair from her face in a tender motion.

She shook her head slightly. “Please…kill me.”

He looked at her with perplexity. “I don’t understand…”

“You never did.” Hot tears strangled her.

Something like remorse flickered across the contours of his face. He took a moment longer, stroking her hair and looking with wicked eyes into hers. He lashed out and grabbed her scarlet shoulder. She yelled in agony and tried to lurch away from his grip but he only pressed with more weight.

He held onto both her shoulders, digging the rocks into her back. Blood poured over and tainted his left hand. “I can’t give you everything that you want, m’love.” She shook beneath him, body going into shock. Her eyes flittered closed, yearning for unconsciousness. “Don’t you leave me.” He jerked her back to reality.

Her languid voice spoke just above a whisper. “I said I’d always love you. You said you would change.”

“We both lied.” He stroked her cheek, her own blood wet on his hand. “We’re only human.”

“No.” she reached a hand up to his face, mirroring his gesture. Crimson dripped down his cheek, staining his skin. “I didn’t lie.”

He watched with confusion as her sapphire eyes slowly fell closed. He caught her hand on its descent and held it against his cheek a moment longer. He kissed her ruby palm and laid her arm across her still chest.

Rain drops seeped from the colorless skies above. Water escaped from his tattered eyes. “I don’t understand…” he whispered to the hollow wind.

© j.t. 12-6-06