Chapter 1, "Let Down" - Radiohead
"Ask me anything."
"Why'd you bring me here?"
"To be alone."
"Why?"
She stood with the shadows, light barely touching her face. Sullen and cold.
"I wanted to give you something."
She stayed in that spot for a while, then turned to me, reaching into her jacket pocket.
"What is it?"
She smiled weakly, walking right up to me.
"This."
In the palm of her hand was a simple, silver chain, sky-blue crystals in the links. There was a music note on the end of it.
"But this is-"
"My chain, I know. But I think you need it. Your gig's coming up, and I don't want you to be nervous."
I smiled.
She smiled right back.
"Thanks."
"Dyem… don't forget about this, okay?"
I looked down at her. "Why would I?"
"Most people forget things that mean something to them, even if they're of the uttermost importance."
I nodded. "I promise you, I'll never forget."
She smiled again, embracing me.
I was startled, a little, but I still held her.
"Don't lose it."
I nodded quickly, grinning. "Don't worry, I won't."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
She started playing with the ends of her jacket. It seemed like she was almost nervous, but she didn't have a reason to be.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
She turned the other way, and I grabbed her by the shoulders.
"You're sure you're okay?"
She nodded. "Yes, Dyem. I'm perfectly fine."
I wasn't convinced, but I let her go. I'd be better off leaving her alone.
She walked to the other side of the room, shrugging off her jacket. She came back rubbing her arms, trying to warm them.
I raised an eyebrow, but she simply ignored it.
"Close your eyes.", she said.
I did what she said.
I could feel her; right there in front of me; around me. She stood close to me, like she was in my arms. As if she really was.
My heart hammered against my rib cage, but nonetheless, I kept my eyes closed.
Our lips touched with the hint of a spark, and everything – my past, the surroundings – they disappeared, seeming absolutely meaningless.
My arms wrapped around her waist, her hands against my shoulders.
I pulled back, just to look at her; her smile contagious, filling the room with her essence.
"I love you.", she said, while I couldn't help but grin.
I whispered her words right back to her, and she embraced me once again. I couldn't help but wonder why I'd never told her how I'd felt before, even shown a subtle hint. But maybe, maybe this was how it was meant to happen.
I held her again, closing my eyes; completely content.
She gasped, and I quickly looked down at her, her face pale.
"What's wrong?!"
Her face remained the same, her breathing becoming staggered.
As she fell, I caught her; still utterly confused.
But that's when I saw him standing there, dressed all in black. Too dark to see him clearly, his jet black hair could faintly be seen, his onyx eyes seeming to glow in the moonlight.
"Get out of here!", I yelled, still holding on to her.
He smirked. "Of course. But I'd suggest finding yourself a new girl, mate. She's a gonner, now."
"Who the hell do you think you are?"
"Just call me Scar."
"Let me guess, you're gonna kill me now, too?"
He laughed. "No, just the girl. You get to live. But don't bother calling the police, her heart's long gone."
"Her heart?"
But the man in black had disappeared, and I was left alone. The only sound was her staggered breathing, and my pounding heart.
Her heart was long gone? What was that supposed to mean?
My hands were warm and crimson, stained with her blood. But she just lay there, still and holding on to her last moments. The knife the man had used now lay on the other side of the room, a matching crimson stain.
"…Dyem…"
I looked down at her, worried and scared.
"Don't lose my chain."
I couldn't compose myself. On the verge of tears, holding a dying, bleeding girl.
"I won't, but-"
"Get Scar, someday."
"You're gonna be okay! I'll get you out of here! I'll-"
"Dyem, you and I both know that I'll never make it out of here."
"Please. Please don't say that."
"I'm sorry."
"I love you. I really do."
She smiled weakly, taking my hand.
"I know you'll remember me. You're not like everyone else."
"Please don't-"
"Promise me. Promise me you won't forget about me."
I nodded. "I promise."
She kept smiling, even in the end. Dying in a hall of mirrors, and she's smiling. I'd be scared as hell, but she was happy. I guess when you're with someone that you really care about, it doesn't really matter all that much anymore. Your fear means nothing at all.
She started closing her eyes, and I lost control. Tears rolled down my face, my entire body shaking and overcome with grief.
"Cohl, you can't leave me! Not yet!"
She just smiled through her pain.
"Cohl!"
Her pulse lulled to a stop, gone. Gone forever.
"Cohl, please! Come back!"
But it was no use, she was already gone.
"Cohl… wherever you are, forgive me…"