Ficlet - Odd One Out
A 30-minute writing challenge
The floorboards above me rumbled and reverberated as the footsteps raced through the toy store above. I peered through a crack in the floorboards, seeing kids moving around toy trucks, flying planes in the air, and hugging dolls. Their smiles beamed ever so widely as they showed their love to the toys.
And here I was, left all alone in the corner of the basement.
I wouldn't blame them for it though...
All I wanted was to have friends. People I can be with. People I can be happy with. People I can be myself with.
But no matter how hard I try, I keep messing up. The way I talk to people. The way I act. It just messes things up. I can't be close to anyone. All I can do is make a mess of everything. I can't fit in. I don't fit in.
Maybe I'm better off just being alone. So that I don't get in anyone's way. They already have each other. They don't need me around. Maybe it's the best for everyone.
Best for...
Everyone...
The sound of footsteps banged the floorboards. Their collective laughter echoed through. Them, with their friends and their toys.
The thought of them all happy. That happiness of belonging. That happiness of being wanted.
It made me sick.
I wanted to take it. I wanted to get it. I wanted to have it for myself.
It wasn't fair! What was wrong with me?! Why can't I belong?! Why can't I be wanted?! Why can't I be needed?!
I wish I could show them! I wish I could silence them! To show them that I'm here! To show them who they failed to see!
But...
I can't do it. It's not me. That's just not me. Not me at all.
I'm not like that. I'm like this. I just want to belong. That's all.
Since I can't fight back, I can't do anything else.
I'm trapped as a ghostly prisoner in my own loneliness. That is my fate.
That is my fate, and nothing more.
Notes:
This was an old piece that did before. During that time, I challenged myself to write a short piece within 30 minutes. Portraying Poltergeist as a doll came from how Polter reminded me of the Fragrance Dolls, making me speculate that Polter was Doll #0 of the Five Fragrances Series. Of course, my speculation was proven wrong when Polter's card was released. But anyway, at least it seemed like an interesting idea in my head.
Disclaimer:
1) Ayakashi Ghost Guild (C) Zynga