Author's Note: This is an exercise I wrote for my creative writing class. The assignment was to write a first person narrative with at least two characters. I chose to rewrite my original prologue to this story, and then for the second part of the exercise, I rewrote the prologue from Gabriel's POV. If you have a moment, go back to the first prologue and take a look at the changes. I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions. Anyway, I know this isn't really a progression of the story, but I figured I'd share it with you purely for the reason that it sheds a little light on Gabriel's character. Enjoy.

As The World Falls Down

Prologue: Another Perspective

Sophie asked me once if I was afraid to die—when she thought I was sleeping, of course. A question like that would've never been asked in the bright light of day. Too morbid, I'm sure she thought. Ridiculous, right? It wasn't like I hadn't been aware from the very beginning that our time together was painfully limited.

I know she thought it would've been easier for me if we had never met. I guess she was right in a way, not that I regretted a single second we'd spent together. Before meeting her, I'd accepted my fate. It was only after we'd fallen in love that I began wishing for more time. So, no, I wasn't afraid to die—I was just furious at the thought of leaving her when we'd barely gotten to know each other. We didn't have enough time. I wanted so much more. To be fair, though, I don't think that forever would've been long enough to satisfy us, either.

I can't seem to leave this place. Not yet. Not while I can see how much she's hurting. All she does, day after day, is lay in our bed and stare at the ceiling. It's like she's retreating farther and farther away into her mind, trying to escape the reality of my death. If I could feel anything now, it would be remorse. She thought it would be easier on me if we'd never met, but I know the truth. It would've been so much better for her if she'd never looked twice at me. I was selfish to pursue her when I knew that my time was so limited. She was always saying how selfless I was, but if that was true, she wouldn't be in the situation she is now—widowed at twenty-three. God, I'm such a bastard.

But, being the selfish person I am, even if it was possible to go back and change things so we had never met, never fell in love… I wouldn't. I can't even imagine what my life would've been like without her. Especially those last few weeks. She was everything I could've ever wished for. Beautiful, intelligent, witty, frustratingly stubborn. My whole world.

She was my gift…and now I'm her curse.

I can't help but linger. Something keeps pulling me to move forward, but I ignore it. Instead I hang around like a glorified peeping tom, watching her stumble blindly around the apartment—our apartment—in one of my old t-shirts. It hurts to see her so heartbroken, but I can't help but watch. Her pain keeps me tethered to this world.

I always told her that she fell for me too hard, loved me too much. That was one of the best qualities about her, though—the way she held on to things, to people. She would meet someone in a grocery store, talk to them for ten minutes, and instantly consider them best friends. Silly Sophie. So trusting, so frighteningly naïve at times. Who's going to protect her now?

I wish I could help her… but I know there's nothing more I can do. We've already said our goodbyes.

It's time for me to go.