Flash Fiction Entry #36

Monday Morning Flash Fiction Challenge #36

Dream of Loneliness

By Amy C

Word Count - 333

I lie here, surrounded by a mist of loneliness. The satiny cloth draped over my body, a lover’s caress. I cannot move from this stasis I find myself engulfed within. Tendrils of emptiness constrict around my heart, trapping me, keeping me from breaking free and taking that which I long for most. A bit of happiness.

I long for his touch, the gentle melody of his voice. My emotions betray me, forever wanting to reach out and connect.

“Why do you not let me in? Embrace the love I offer?” I whisper through the haze.

“We are not for each other. I have no love to give you in return.” The sorrowful words shatter my emotional control. My soul cries out, for inside me, my love, my passion, is for him and him alone.

“You’re heart has been broken, betrayed. Let me mend it for you. Gather it in the warmth of my devotion, keep it safe.”

“I warned you, don’t get attached. Your emotions are not welcome.”

I felt his presence dissipate, leaving me in hollow silence. I plead with the tears seeping from eyes for him to stay, to comfort me, to love me. But he is gone.

I stir from a warm pressure upon arm. My eyes open, surrounded by a pool of liquid.

“Hey,” a soft voice whispers near my ear.

I turn, rolling onto my back, and gaze at the face before me. “Hey,” I whisper back, a smile curves my lips. Profound relief eases the grip of loneliness that moments ago had been knotted around my heart. His palm rests lightly upon my cheek.

“You were dreaming. What were you dreaming about? It must have been sad. You were crying,” he spoke softly, concern in his eyes, love in his heart.

I snuggle closer to him, pressing my face into his chest, his embrace tightening around me, comforting me. “Nothing,” I answer back. “You’re here with me, and that’s all that matters. It was just a dream.”

* * * * *

It's late...but I finally did one :). It's a bit melancholic, but happy nonetheless.

Thank you, Dottie, for continuing to post images every week. I'm glad this weekly challenge is still going strong. Maybe week 37 will be inspiring also!

Flash Fiction Entry and other news...

Has it really been since the end of February that I posted last? Time seems to be going by so fast with this new job. Only having a few hours in the evening makes it hard to find time for everything.

I did manage to write my Flash fiction for last week! I meant to post it Friday night, but I was pre-occupied with a trip to Cleveland. I had intended to go alone, just to get away, but my cousin ended up meeting me there. Got drunk and had to drive home the next day with a hangover...it was awesome! LOL We've already made plans to do it again!

The new job is going great. I thought it was going to be too much for me, but now that it's been two months, it isn't so bad! I did quit the mall :(. As much as I hated going in there after working all day at Ingram, I miss it terribly and it's only been a week! But it's knowing that I won't be going in anymore, at least not to work. I was in there yesterday for a few hours to hang out :). It's hard to stay away.

Anyway, here is my flash for last week!

Flash Fiction Entry

Untitled

By Amy C
Word Count - 363

She ran, her feet carrying her to a future she dreamed so often of. If only she could make it to the gates of deliverance before her body gave in to the gnawing need to rest.

She stumbled, falling an endless downward spiral to the hard and brittle earth. Her heart sank with the weight of her exhaustion. Tears gathered in her eyes, spilling forth a trail of her loneliness. Failure. Always a failure.

He promised he’d be there waiting on the other side where the lushness, the beauty held such an intense contrast to the desolate scenery she knelt within. His voice called to her, whispering in her mind, encouraging her to rise.

She struggled on shaky legs to stand, gathering what strength remained. His remembered touch enticed her; the gentle press of his lips, the warm embrace of his arms around her. He was everywhere, yet nowhere.

One step, two steps, but her fatigued muscles would carry her no further. She collapsed mere feet from the gates entrance. She wept silently, for she possessed not enough energy for more. Body trembling, she drifted into darkness.

She stirred as something tickled her consciousness.

“Rise, my sweet. Come to me.”

That voice. She knew that loving, melodic caress. But she could not bring herself to full awareness. If she lay here a little longer, renew her strength then she could continue.

The peaceful chirping of birds woke her. She stretched, yawning, expecting pain in every muscle, surprised when she felt no hint of strain. How long had she laid there sleeping? She collected herself and rose. Her no longer tired feet carried her body the last few steps through the gate. Her heart expanded as the man she sought entered her mind. Soon they would be together, his promise lingering.

She searched, gazing this way and that. Where was he? He should be here awaiting her arrival. Desperation stole the steady beat of her heart. And then realization struck, as all around her only an empty silence existed. No more did she hear the caress of his voice.

“I could wait no longer,” a distant memory of words echoed in the hollow stillness.

*****