Separation: Even Those Meant To Stay....

'Have I seen you before?', a nice and beautiful woman asked me. Her body the colour of almonds, smooth black hair slicked perfectly down which rolled over her well-developed body, her black eyes piercing anything they saw; and her hand was linked to another's.

Did it have to end this way?

'Uh', I stammered, unsure of what to say, 'I don't believe so'. My face seemed to be full of joy and sincerity, but, my hands were shaking inside my cloak which has been smouldered by the smell of smoke.
'Oh!' she exclaimed, 'My bad for disturbing you. Have a good day', she awkwardly threw me a smile as she and the man beside her headed towards the lit Christmas tree; where every family and couple were gathering at.
I stared for a bit. Specifically, at the stranger's backside, the image of myself and his kept flashing in my mind. I sighed and kept walking with my head down on this frigid winter night.
+
Children.

Me and my best friend are called Beauty and the Beast. We would walk around the neighbourhood hand in hand, gallop onto strangers' lawns, swim together, attempt to start a lemonade business together; basically, we would do anything and everything together. And as of this exact moment, I had exposed myself to a strange situation.

'So, you're saying I won't jump off this bridge?', I asked, overconfident in my abilities as a man.

'Ha!', she teased, 'I know for a fact you won't jump', my friend said confidently. Her straight black hair bouncing with each immature snort. Both cute and disgusting.

Ignoring her I climbed onto the bridge. The distance from here and the pond was at least two stories. I dragged my feet forward feeling more confident with each small stride. That was until a sudden cold front made itself known, almost throwing me off balance.

'H-hey now I was joking!', my friend was stumbling for words, concern obvious in her tone, 'You don't need to jump'. She came towards the edge, her feet still safe on the concrete, and held onto my thing brown shorts that were a size to small. For some strange reason I had what might be the best idea in the world.

'How long have we been friends for?' I asked nonchalantly. The wind was blowing stronger, now.

'Does that matter right now!?' she said hysterically, even her black hair was beginning to get blown away by the wind, 'Just get down!'

'I won't until you answer the question', I could feel the bottom of my feet being dragged by the wind.

'Since we were eight, we've been best friends for the past five years! There's your answer now get down!'

'Best friends', I whispered to nobody, the wind taking those words away, 'That sounded nice, but, now that seems a bit childish. Hey! Let's say I survive this plunge I want something in compensation', now that's a big boy word.

'I ain't even forcing you to jump anymore!', she had both her hands on my shorts, her small fingers grasping as tightly as they could, 'Why do I have to pay?!'

'Not literally!', the wind picked up, 'But just go with it'.

I turned myself around and faced downwards, looking at her in her pitch-black eyes that could investigate anyone's soul. Here fingers slid off. Keeping eye contact I stretched out my arms, and, as if this entire stunt was staged the wind blew its mightiest gust, 'I want'. I felt a tilt in momentum and before I saw the sky I yelled, 'A kiss!'

Next destination, hospital bed. I woke up startled, unsure of where I was at first but as I recognized the all to recognizable hospital room I managed to steady my breathing. I looked under the common blouse most patients wear, I had heart monitor stickers stuck to my chest.

These hospital rooms have always been a bittersweet place. Hospital rooms is where I spent the best days as well as the single worst day of my life.

I scanned the room pushing the nostalgia to the back of my mind, seeing nothing special I was about to lay back down. That was until a lion. More specifically the snoring of my fellow peer caught my attention.

'Serena?' I whispered hoarsely. She didn't respond.

I frowned. Regaining all my senses I could easily feel the soreness, bruises, and pain that ran through all my body, but, I got the sudden urge to do the opposite of what my body wanted.

Carefully ripping of the EKG stickers, I slid off the edge of the bed, the balls of my feet in agony, I stumbled my way there and barely landed on the green leather couch. Pulling myself into a fetus position I sat there silently adoring her. I found myself smiling. Although her mother was an alcoholic and used to beat her Serena never gave in. Despite being young and vulnerable. People are easy to criticise a pretty face and say, she probably had it easy. Beauty is different than arrogance, but people seem to forget that. Another reason me and here are called Beauty and the Beast is because in the original 1740 version of this tale, Beauty was being worked to the core for her family who mocked and wanted her dead. Her mother wanted her dead the most as she was a failed abortion from a man she didn't love. Serena eventually moved in with me after her family left her to die behind some convenience store. For their convenience. And they called me Beast because after my mother died I wouldn't accept anybody. Not even my own father who gave in to drugs a couple months afterwards, thankfully he's doing rehab now. It was Serena who repaired my broken shell.

'Jeez. You're pretty', I said clearly. Out of curiosity I hovered over to see if her breathing pattern changed. Nothing. But although the result isn't what I wanted, it didn't stop me from saying more embarrassing things.

'The best gem of the rocks'.

'The definite needle in the haystack'.

'Most beautiful women I've ever laid eyes on'.

'I wish you would be mine'.

Silence was my response. I give up. Taking a deep disappointed breath, I forced myself up and began to stumble back to my bed.

'Y'know you can't just blurt out those things to a girl. She might get the wrong idea and what kind of man stalks other people'.

'Pretending to be asleep to avoid conversation isn't very lady life either', This line came out smoother than expected. I'm glad I was facing away because my face the even redder than cherries.

'Were you serious earlier?' a petite voice squeaked.

Earlier? What happened---Oh! I turned around with the speed of a snail. As I turned around I debated whether to blow what I said off, or to go through with it. I might have just been bursting with hormones earlier, or I could have legitimately wanted what I asked for. I had my answer the moment our eyes meet. It was her eyes that convinced me.

'Yup', I stated, walking forward ignoring all the physical pain, 'But I won't exactly force you into it'.

I sat down beside her, looking into each other eyes the entire time. I felt my heart flutter in a way I haven't felt much. I slowly reached out my shaking hand and placed it softly on her face. Such smooth skin. I'm wondering if her face is redder or just as red as mine. I pulled closer until the tip of our noses touched.
I pulled closer.
+
Part Two. Burn.

The infamous jumping off a FOUR-story bridge to attempt to get a kiss (Which was never accomplished) from the girl turned into a full-blown news article. From time to time I pick up the dusty article and read it.

HOW FAR WILL BOYS HORMONES GO! What a name.

A couple years have passed. Serena's father returned wanting a new life with his daughter. At first Serena rejected her father and that was understandable. But it seemed that he genuinely wanted a new and renewed relationship with his daughter. She was seven when they left her. Fourteen when he came back and now eighteen when they are a family. No information has been leaked to what happened to her mother and six siblings. But going off Serenas fathers' nightmares, something tragic took place.

And me? Well with Serena living with her father I had an emptier house than usual. My father noticed my loneliness (he works in real estate and always seemed to be busy) and introduced me to some of his friends' children. Logan and Manuel. Beside these two sacks of hell I also made my new male best friend called Han. A refugee from the territories in the Middle East. At first, he was reserved and at every large noise he would jump and hide. But soon me, Logan, and Manuel found a connection with Han. Stories. We all decided that together we would change the entertainment industry for the better. In High School that's all we did. We would get together and create stories that would both teach and inspire the youth.
On the topic of dreams becoming a reality me and Serena tied the knot. Homecoming King and Queen. What a day. But putting all this nostalgia aside---

'Hey, don't zone out!'

'Hm?' I said on instinct. I looked around my eyes first landing on the podium decorated with large silver bubble letters. The overwhelming sound demeaning both of my ears. Looking down I was covered by the black gown making waves, piling on my shoes. Me being me I didn't realize immediately where I was until the music began playing. It's graduation day. I leaned sideways, my lips grazing her ear.

'Just forgot that we were graduating, ain't that funny?'

'Yeah sure', she said all the while staring forward, 'We'll talk later I want to hear Han's speech'.

'Damn straight', I agreed wholeheartedly. The sacred and scarred boy from the Middle East was now a man with his Associates and only needed two more years for his Bachelor's degree. He was about four years ahead of every single person at this school. Talking about Han, here he is. Him being above everyone else should have felt insulting but instead it just felt right.

He was the only one with a red gown and hat, he said it was in remembrance of his fallen brothers and sisters. Their blood pushed him forward. Han now stood in front of the massive crowd, he had a pile of papers in his hand, he showed them to the crowd, he then threw them to the crowd. I'm sure that this action was supposed to be a cool expression of rebellion. But it honestly looked kind of dumb.

Either way, even if I found my friends action dumb, the crowd loved it. Students and spectators alike and once again the roars of the crowd surrounded and wanted to burst my ear drums. This chaotic noise went on for a good thirty seconds. Han silenced them with a raised hand, the tattoo of the Cross on his palm. Silence was the new sound, after two minutes.

'My fellow Americans', he started, the once thick accent now grazed to nothing, 'You have now passed your greatest challenge, High School. But like I said, we have passed one of our childhoods complex tests'. He pulled out a small box and slammed it on HIS podium. Not sure what it was, but, from down here the only thing that could be seen was the word, TROJAN.

'Our new test is now adulthood. A merciless place where money is the best friend we could ever have. A society where it won't matter how hard we work for something, if we don't follow through how society says its supposed to be done, we are done for. A place where even the strong can consider suicide, a place where the strong HAVE committed suicide. But no matter what situations get thrown our way remember this. Legacy. I won't say that all of us will end up getting a statue, but that within our families that we leave a legacy. A legacy that our kid's children will remember. A story where their kid's children will tell stories of you to their kids. I don't know about you, but I want to leave a legacy for my kids. I honestly already have but what about you?'

The building was quiet letting his words resonate within. Then the crowd went crazy and once again Han only needed to raise his hand to calm the crowd, 'Now for the real part of the speech'.

'We all know that our best friends in high school may one day end up being a stranger. We'll walk past them on the streets of Brooklyn without even sharing a glance. Now although that's sad don't misunderstand me. Do not sacrifice your dreams just to keep in touch with your weed buddy. But, if you really want it, do not lose touch with those who both push and inspire you to do more. Those people who stay are their because God wanted them too, they are destined to be a part of your future', I pulled Serena closer, giving her a small kiss on her forehead, 'We are now a thing of the past. It's our job to pave a path to the future for those coming up behind us. We have the responsibility to help the growing and carry on the dreams of the deceased. Don't forget the people who made you what you are today'.

After Hans speech everything went on smoothly. I got my diploma and graduated from High School. I told my old man, 'We're equals now'. He only laughed, but I felt a twinge of sadness in his laugh. We took a picture with my diploma, Serena holding the camera, and afterwards (At midnight since the entire day was saying goodbyes and taking pictures) we went to mother's grave. It was a bittersweet night. My mother died when I was ten dues to a failed triple bypass. She was now stranger to her heart being tampered with as when she was born a hole had appeared on her heart. As an adult she knew that she had maybe a couple of years left. The most tragic part being that she didn't want to fall in love due to her unavoidable death. But it seems my father had some charm and managed to break her promise. She fell in love, got married, and managed to raise me the furthest she could. She is my hero and my idol. And her perseverance to survive just for me is her legacy and it's exactly what I want to pass to my kids.

Talking about kids.

'What are your plans?' I asked Serena. This was a couple days after graduation day. We were beside a small pond sitting on a table mat she brought and this mat was covered with food that I cooked.

'Plans?' she repeated, 'Glad you asked. Say, I know you're curious about what happened to the rest of my family, right?'

'Of course, but why bring them up now?'

'Because it influenced my dream. See here, mother beat me because she was an alcoholic but even if she was the incarnation of evil something made her that way. I found out that at the same time she was raising me and other six she was taking classes to become a teacher. Her being rejected constantly eventually broke her soul. So she beat me, and me being a child that wasn't my fathers he never went against her. The moment she was ripped away of her degrees she decided to leave me. Turns out that one of the neighbours saw her beat me and the reported her. Hence her losing all she wanted because of me. My father agreed at first, but it seems that on the road he found God. It's crazy how the most sinful person one Earth suddenly wanted to become a prophet. He found him and tried to get the rest of the family to convert their sins to blessings. One day my mother kicked him out the family and like to me, she left him to die. Hence, him coming back here and raising me'.

My eyes widened. The words of Han resounded in my ears, Legacy.

'I bet if mother had someone to talk to she could have ended up differently. So I want to become a therapist. Somebody people can talk to, somebody people can vent to. I want to help people sort out their problems. I want to help people'.

I smiled and not just at her words. But at the bright shine in her eyes. I switched glances from her eyes to the sky. What a great day. As I thought about the two of my heart just fluttered like a child thinking about our future.
+

I entered the building. Boxes everywhere with sharpie writings on them. Accessories. Jewellery. Clothes. All the things required to move. From the entrance of the empty building I saw Serena walk down the stairs, and I must have given her a very desperate look. She ran towards me embracing me in her warm arms.

'I meant to tell you earlier, but with all the goodbyes I couldn't bring myself to tell you', I was wearing a cotton shirt. So when the waterworks began my shirt soaked them. Serena is light, but now in my hands I almost fell beneath the weight. I didn't have the strength to say goodbye.

'If you're moving, how far then?' I forced myself to say.

'New York', her voice barely audible. My mind began calculations from here to New York. Conclusion; to damn far.

'So the conversation the other day was preparing me for this. So New York has the college you need'.

'Affirmative. I want to help people, but I also need to leave some. Please, forgive me!' she bawled on my shirt.

I could tell she was serious about this. Of course, I don't want to see her leave but I have no right to deny her dreams. I looked at a mirror that was installed into the wall, Serenas father was in the reflection on the verge of calling her over. The truck beside him revved and ready to go. I can't let her go like this. I took one deep breath in and let it go.

'Hey man! I know this is sad but what kind of human would I be to halt your dreams? Go! Make those dreams a reality and later we'll talk. Sound good?'

Serena looked up with a gigantic, sad smile plastered on her face, 'I don't deserve you!'

I squeezed her closer, 'Maybe you don't'.
+
Part 3. Growing up.

My feet were exhausted from all the pedalling to the mail house. It had been two years since she left, it hurt but we had been keeping in touch, so it wasn't all bad. Each Sunday a letter would be at the mail house waiting for me. From Serena the most beautiful woman in the world.

Me, Logan, Manuel, Han, and now a new friend named Deluca applied for the same college. Now one step closer to our dream.

The wind was being very annoying today so by the time I reached the mail house I was ready to collapse. I parked my bike at the entrance of the building. Opening the door the fresh smell of paper penetrated my nostrils, it honestly smells great. Upon entry there were rows of massive bookcases containing both paper and soon to be delivered mail. I sped my way through the hallways looking for my address. I soon found it and could feel my heart beating like crazy as soon as I touched the metal casing.

I opened it excited to see its contents. But nothing was there.

'That's weird, usually her mails are here by this time', I whispered to myself. I took a glance to my fake designer watch, 8:30. It should be here. For some reason the image of another male holding her close flashed in my head. I stopped in my tracks. But then smacked myself, not hard because I love myself, but I needed to remind myself that shes also working hard to achieve her dreams. I slowly walked back out to the hallway compensating what to do next.

At this time I felt my phone vibrating, I picked it up and simply clicked the end call button. Sorry to whomever is calling right now but I need to focus on this dire situation. I sat down and kept an eye on the mailmen coming in and out the mail house. My phone kept vibrating but I didn't answer since the caller was Logan who probably wanted me to pick him up because he was just dumped by another girl. Not today Logan.

After five minutes of ignoring calls and keeping an eye out for mailmen heading into my alleyway I was about to give up and come later. I stood up, a little to fast, and received a phone call once again. I sighed in defeat and having no reason not to answer, I answered.

'What's good?'

'Hey ge---!'

I didn't here the rest of his words because it was at this exact moment I saw a single lone mailman walk into my alleyway.

'Sorry! Call you later!' I hung up and sped walked to my alleyway. For some reason I felt like I had just done something terrible, but at this moment all I had in mind was reading Serenas words. I would regret this later.

To the poor mailman I must have been the wolf from WoodyWoodPecker, picking speed and then digging my soles into the marble floor.

'Woah woah woah!' the mailman said backing up to avoid my top speeds, 'The hell you running so fast for?'

'There any mail for me?' I got straight to the point, my feet moving up and down for no apparent reason. Except out of excitement.

He gave me a strange look before scanning his bag of mail, 'Uh. No I got nothing for you. You are Levertoure, right?'

'The one and only', I stated, 'Now, could you please check again?'

'Sure', he checked again, 'No kid I got nothing for you'.

My heart sank, 'You sure because I learned that with aging comes certain negative effects on the eyes'.

He slammed the mail back into his bad, 'Your funny, but don't tell me how to do my job'.

'Oh', I took a step back, 'I didn't mean it in a rude way, I just want to make sure your eyes aren't h---'

'Get out!'

I ended up getting kicked out. I sighed in exhaustion, what a morning. Welp, looks like there's no note from her today. I walked off, completely forgetting about my bike, the sun shining brightly and the breeze wafting through my hair.

What a beautiful day.
-
'Bitch!' Manuel pushed me down to the wet concrete. Groaning and in mental, physical, but mostly emotional pain I looked up. The images of my friends face contorted by rage will forever be imbedded into my mind.

'The hell man!' I shouted as I forced myself up, 'You told me to suddenly come to your house and as soon as I do you push me down! Why are you so mad!'

Logan appeared from behind Manuel, his face the same as my other dear friend, 'I called you about a dozen fucking times! And I know you were getting them so you had no reason not to answer! Do you even know what happened?!'

I was genuinely terrified. My heart beat was so intense I could feel it vibrate my entire body. My chronic headaches decided to come back in the worst time. My body felt numb and my mouth had so much to say but no guts to say it for the looks Manuel, Logan, and Deluca were bloodlust.

'Alright fine! I'm sorry about not picking up but please, tell me what the hell happened?!' I barely managed to get these words out without bursting into tears.

The trio all looked down, staying silent. The only sounds were the peaceful rain landing on the concrete. Birds chirping in the trees feeding their children. The sounds of squirrel's feet pouncing on the road bringing in food so they could survive. Insects stuck to the walls and windows of people seeking refuge unwilling to die.

Logan was the first to speak, 'Han died'.

The words went in one ear and out the other. Han? Dead? What a bad joke! I felt a confused smirk arise on my bruised face. Han. The child who transferred here from his war-torn country, is dead. The kid who stood up for me when I was being harassed for being motherless, is dead. The boy who achieved the best grades in middle and high school despite having all the odds against him and putting aside his out of country problems the man also was diagnosed with PTSD, that Han died?! The man who had plans to return to his war-torn home and save it, that man is dead?! Han is dead? What a fucking joke!? A sick joke?!

'Han is dead?!' I laughed hysterically, like a mad man, 'No way! He wouldn't die!? Stop playing this sick joke!' I stepped back and began to shout for Han, suspecting he was probably hiding somewhere waiting to pounce on me, 'Come out you fucker! I know you're there!' My eyes were widening and as I refused to close my eyes no matter how much water was entering them, they were becoming bloodshot.

'Han come ou---!'

'Shut up!' Logan took one step and slugged me, hard. But the part that hurt most was the pure malice in his words.

He grabbed me by the collar before I could fall and brought me closer to his enraged face, now that I was closer I could see how he felt. His eyes red and puffy from all the crying. Obvious claw marks scrapped across his cheeks, probably from himself. And as I saw him through the corner of my stinging eyes I saw marks on his wrists.

'Two nights ago Han got involved in some deep stuff and ended up with a fractured head in the hospital! Yesterday morning he wanted all his closest friends to be with him in his last moments! You were the only who wasn't there! He wanted you there so bad and you were off doing something else, he even repeated our names in his last moment of life! You didn't deserve to be mentioned!' spit flying from his mouth, Manuel and Deluca behind him were beginning to sob, 'Were you at that damn mailhouse? Oh yeah, Serena always sends letters to you on Sundays, you spent time there waiting for some whores letter than being with Han!'

'Shut the hell up', I ball of fire erupted inside of me, but for the wrong reasons, 'She loves me, and I love her! She is no whore!' my enraged face against his. Man, against man. Hypocrisy against bravery.

He let go of me, the back of my head hitting the concrete. He now stood above me, joining him in his spot as monarch was my best pals. The people who I grew up with and wanted to die with, now stood against me.

'Fine', Deluca said, 'You keep living your lie', Deluca was the first to disappear from my blurry vision and soon the other two followed. I was left with the image of the grey sky punishing me. I got up to my knee and watched them walk away. The rain making them harder to see the further they got and soon they disappeared. Not just from my vision, but, also from my life.

After a while although my heart hurt my body began to heal. Is stood up and looked at my hand, covered in dirt. The rain seemed to be avoiding the filth on my hands, on me.

'I love you, Serena', I said desperately, 'And... you love me...right?!' my voice broke, 'What am I saying, of course you do!' I began to laugh but soon the sound of laughter turned into despair as I realized my happy life had just ended.

Memories of my former friends replayed in my mind. The times we laughed together---Our dreams! The five od us wanted to help the children of the future, we had so many plans! Now all of them thrown to the hottest pits of hell and for what!? The memories of Serena played in my head. From the time where father brought her to our house the only thing covering her was a thing and muddied table cloth. The time our first kiss was interrupted by my father. To the peaceful moment we had at the pond. What was the point of everything I had ever done?
Love does bring people closer together, this is a great feeling. But it also hell on Earth.
-
The door closed behind them. The pair rushed into the bedroom clothes already flying off. The half-naked woman grasped the mans neck and held him close as he grazed her smooth skin.

The man pulled back and looked at her. Love apparent in both their bright and young eyes.
All I want, she thought, is him. She brought him closer and as soon as they landed on the bed their lips touched. His tough lips and her smooth silk lips coming together. Their lips touched, their tongues intertwined, and their heart beats just as loud as the other. She pulled away.

'We can go all the way if you want', Serena whispered.

The man smiled innocently, 'Sounds great... but what about that note?'

Serena looked sideways to the blank white notecard on her desk. A desk covered with bongs, drugs, needles and all other nasty stuff. Her mind wandered back into her childhood and specifically to her old lover. She remembered all the laughs they shared, the tears they shed, and the embraces they had. Levertoure was once a major part in her life and she'll admit it herself that if it wasn't for him and his father, she would have died as a child. Levertoure was a kind soul who would do anything for her and she loved him for it. But she was so far away the contact with each other was bound to fade out. She looked at the pack of unopened heart stickers she used to use. She smiled, but soon snorted.

'Don't be silly', she flirted, 'That was in the past and I'm looking to the future. A future with you'.

'You sure?'

She kissed him to shut him up, pulling away she whispered, 'Yes. This is better'.

+
Part Four. Grown Up.

After my friends left me I developed chronic depression and constantly had suicidal thoughts. I would go into my room at night and sneak away deliberately and go behind the restrooms to hurt myself. I had been dropped from my college due to my lacking grades as well as I couldn't face them anymore. I twenty when Han died, now I am twenty-four.

On another note I found Serena's social media page, turns out she got married to this other dude. The man had a large beard with his black hair tied into a ponytail. At first the sight of how they smiled when with each other hurt but after I got used to physical pain, nothing hurt anymore. I never got the energy to write her and she never wrote anything to me. I don't hate her. I'm just done.

I got up from my scratchy bed and as I stepped down I felt the cold cover of adult magazines, the hot tips of cigarette buds, and the spheres of prescription drug cases. Anything to escape reality. Walking over to my small stool I extended a note I had written the day before. To put it bluntly it was my suicide note. I grabbed my cloak and exited the room, note in my pocket.

It was Christmas Eve and I was all alone wandering the crowded streets left to reminisce about my tragic life.

I never got invited to Hans funeral. His cause of death was by a blunt object being stuck on his skull, murder. Han always sent money to his parents and this time he happened to be short and to add to his despair one of his cousins had been kidnapped and the abductees wanted a ransom. Han being himself decided to get enough money by himself to pay off the entire ransom and to get this money he went to extremes. He survived two weeks in the world of human trafficking, torture, and drugs. He almost had enough money to pay off the entire ransom. But on his last deal the buyer made a mistake and being caught by his presumed boss he shifted the blame to Han. Thus, him ending up dying to human sloth.

Logan had started his own film company. Although his first movie wasn't a box office hit he posted this on his Twitter, 'This is not the end. I failed and that is final. But a friend once told me that I had to leave a legacy and that is exactly what I will do'. His current movie is now being considered for an Oscar.

Manuel became a screenwriter for children's television. He had more success than any of them since now he is married and is awaiting the birth of his child. This man has forever embedded his legacy towards his children.

Deluca wasn't as fortunate. After a falling out with his family he dropped out of college and joined the army. He is now fighting territories in the Middle East. The place Han wanted to save.

And me? I had my dreams shattered and have been living pathetic life ever since, not even bothering to attend my fathers funeral.

I sighed and looked forward. There was Serena. My heart should have exploded and my eyes should have widened, but instead I sadly smiled. I knew she was going to be here she posted it on her social media. To say that I didn't want to see the image of us running into each other's arms embracing each other, would be a lie. But as we walked closer I saw how happy she seemed to be with this man. How her eyes lit up and how she smiled and was tranced by each word he said. What kind of human would get in the way of that? I tried to avoid her, but it seems that our eyes met suddenly.

'Have I seen you before?', a nice and beautiful woman asked me. Her body the colour of almonds, smooth black hair slicked perfectly down which rolled over her well-developed body, her black eyes piercing anything they saw.

'Uh', I stammered, unsure of what to say, 'I don't believe so'. My face seemed to be full of joy and sincerity, but, my hands were shaking inside my cloak which has been smouldered by the smell of smoke.

'Oh!' she exclaimed, 'My bad for disturbing you. Have a good day', she awkwardly threw me a smile as she and the man beside her headed towards the lit Christmas tree; where every family and couple were gathering at. I stared for a bit. I sighed and kept walking with my head down on this frigid winter night.

Well here I am. I got on the bridges edge and stared at the water, it was almost inviting. This is very nostalgic, bridges and water. But this time nobody was going to save me, not even myself. I turned around and took one last look at the horizon where a bright tree pierced through the darkness outside, but not the darkness inside. I smiled and hopped backwards.
As I fell many memories flooded into my brain; both good and bad. Logan, Manuel, Deluca, Serena, and even that man who took the love of my live; I hope you all live a great life.
Legacy.

Huh, I found myself thinking. The wind picking up speed. The hell is that noise?

Legacy.

Oh. Hans most memorable words. We graduates were meant to leave a legacy and I know most of us had... but what about me?

As the thought began to process through my head I felt the sudden and devasting impact on my scarred back. The wind was sucked out of my lungs and I felt the instant effect of the weighted belt, socks, and wrist bands. My heart raced against my weakened lungs, it so wanted oxygen! I saw the once calm water violently surround me and drag me down. My body squirmed as I was dragged underwater the darkness surrounding me. My eyes burning still managed to see the moon the bright full moon was out on this fateful night. I looked over my shoulder and saw only darkness, a pit of nothing. Only the colour black will keep me company, if I allowed it. Legacy. I hadn't left a legacy on this world yet, I haven't done shit yet! I panicked and looked at the weighted objects on me. I didn't leave a legacy I'm about to die for nothing but my own moping! My lungs begging for air, my heart racing against time, my skin freezing due to the water, and my eyes stinging I scrapped at the weighted wristband. As I saw them sink to the bottom of the water I felt myself become lighter, both figuratively and literary. I had no time left. My body was beginning to give out but I forced myself to swim upwards. My heart racing faster than the speed of light. My eyes stinging as if a bee had stung the pupil itself. My skin freezing and becoming blue. And my lungs yearning and lusting for air. Please God let me make it! I was getting closer to the surface but just as I my fingers broke the water I felt my lungs stop, as my heart. My eyes stopped. As did my body.

But I managed to get a single hand clawed into the dirt beside me, but it was weak.



end.