11
Nov
An angel screams. I am told she cries for me, that she takes my pain upon herself. She hopes to save me, it is said. She cares.
It is a sweet gesture, unexpected, kind. But I am long past saving now. I made my pact long ago, and have spent the years since searing my soul, burning it away thoroughly. I do not care.
This angel loved me. Watched me in my crib, caressed my cheek when no mortal hovered over me. All through my childhood, she guarded.
Perhaps too well. Perhaps too poorly. Either way, I turned from her light. Mayhaps my soul broke when I did, but I think it was broken before, and needed only confirmation in fire.
I killed. Men, women, children, animals. They were life. Life ends. After each death, I tapped the gun against my temple, wondering if I had earned my release.
All that, and still she cries. I would comfort her, tell her not to cry, but she cannot hear through her pain. My pain.
She lifts her eyes and looks into mine. I look back, sad. I pity her, that she pledged her life in service of another, only to be rejected. But the life was mine to live, and I did.
Comments
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Louise Broadbent on 11.11.2011
Love it. Just love it. The idea. The ending. The writing (but then yours is always exquisite). 10/10.
The Four Part Land on 11.11.2011
At first I tried to write more after that last sentence, but it kept feeling wrong. So eventually I just binned it and left it as it appears here.
And you’re too kind about my writing. 🙂
L.M. Stull on 11.11.2011
Now this is called writing. Raw. Emotional. Beautiful. All the elements I love. Fantastic job, James 🙂
Steve Green on 11.12.2011
Like many of your short pieces James, almost poetic, strong, and emotive. Nicely crafted.