'Some memories are like lethal weapons, lurking at the back of your mind, always threatening. They can destroy you; rip you into little, little pieces until there is nothing left…but just a…vague memory.'
It was unusual for someone to be out in this kind of dangerous weather. This was the type of weather that gave you serious pneumonia.
There was, of course, the occasional car, headlights on against the darkening sky, wipers moving crazily against the battering rain. But apart from that you wouldn't expect anyone to be out, especially without an umbrella (which no doubt would not resemble an umbrella after the rain was done with it.)- and yet, there was.
The culprit was sitting on an antediluvian park bench, just brooding. It was funny, because while she sat there she didn't even seem to be aware of the rain. The rain that was preying on her ruthlessly and making her whole body numb, soaking her to the very core. Her brown strands of hair were desperately clinging on to each other, plastered to her head by the rain; afraid they were going to be swept away from her. The dull brown colour looking even duller in this weather, but also darker, almost a whole new shade altogether. Her light brown eyes were lowered to the grey, cemented road- fixing on something that solely existed for her. She was, as people said, in another world altogether.
Suddenly, as if she had stumbled upon one pleasant thought out of all the dark, ugly ones in her head, she looked up and smiled. The rain still didn't seem to bother her at all; in fact, it actually seemed to be in her favour. It was washing her away. It was getting rid of her hateful past, numbing down unwanted memories, cleansing her and giving her a clean, new start.
That was why she came to this town; she was running away. Running away from her past demons that threatened to torture her until she hopelessly surrendered. Until she lost the last bit of sanity that held her together, like a weak solvent.
A weak solvent that loosely resembled hope.
It was good to be somewhere new. A place where everything was strange and unfamiliar. A place where people were strangers. A place where secrets remained what they were: secrets.
She let out a contented sigh. It was the sigh of a person weary of their life and in need of a rest. And that is what she had come to get: a break. A break from the harsh reality of the world. The reality that deceived you, hiding under an undetectable masquerade. Until one unfortunate day when the mask would cruelly slide away, revealing the undeniable truth. Coping had not been an option, so she had decide to flee.
Only, little did she know that once the truth was out there really was no forcing it back. It followed you around, clinging on to just mere shadows, until you truly learned to accept it.
Matthew Marten had been intently listening to the fierce drumming of the rain, for at least the last two hours. The constant powerful beating of the rain was now an unforgettable, ever going rhythm in the back of his head.
He had watched every last drop of water within sight, uncaringly hit his window; collide with the smooth glass pane, and create a din for sensitive ears. He could now justly declare that rain watching was definitely not an interesting profession. True, the rain was an exquisite, unchangeable aspect of nature- but there was only so much one could take of it. However, he did have something to show for all his hard work (other than his photos); he had discovered that the rain did not 'pitter-patter', as children storybooks claimed it to do. It was more like a hundred thousand knocks, all demanding to be let in.
Anyway that was the position Matt(hew) was in when he spotted the girl: perched at the edge of his low windowsill, camera held in both hands and carefully positioned next to his professional, trained eye. He had been zooming in to get exact shots, when his eye had swept towards the old, park bench- and to the serene figure sitting on it. She was looking down to the floor; as if the world had offered her everything, and she had not liked what she had seen.
As Matt zoomed in closer to look at her properly, he imagined the things that she must have gone through. He had seen the pain clearly written all over her delicate face. He imagined the mounds of hurt he would see when he looked into her eyes. It wasn't right, nobody deserved to feel so much pain that they nearly drowned from it. Just seeing her downcast figure in this murderous rain made him feel sad. There was too much pain in the world- more than people realized. Much more.
When she looked up so suddenly and the corners of her pale, soft lips turned up- obviously into a gentle smile- Matt nearly dropped the camera. He drew in a sharp intake of breath, not knowing the cause of such strange behaviour, and foolishly blundered about with the camera in his now sweaty hands. Hurriedly, he put the camera in front of his sharp eyes, hoping that she still had the calm surrounding her. Hoping that some of the hurt on her face had been erased by the beauty of the moment. Did she know what she had caused? Did she know that one smile from her had flipped his sense of thinking?
He was relieved to see that he had not missed the opportunity for the 'perfect' picture. He captured the scene like a hungry panda gratefully devouring nearly extinct bamboo shoots. He loved cameras for what they did. They captured the certain moments like no other thing could, keeping it safe from forgetting memories- and it truly was an amazing invention; he saluted the lucky inventor.
While he was taking her picture, it dawned on him that the reason he felt so peculiar, was she. There was something about her…
Another peaceful, heart-rending smile from her distracted him from his thoughts. With quick expert hands, he took 'the' picture, shocked at the sheer tranquillity of the moment. Even the rain seemed to have quietened down, and was that music he could hear? Had the birds started chirping? Had the sun shown his face? No, so why did he feel so…happy?
She lifted her gaze, and seemed to stare directly towards him. He looked into the warm, brown eyes; that reminded him of the chocolate he loved so much. He saw the depths of her eyes, the insignificant meaning of her gaze. The way her short, curly eyelashes brushed her skin, and opened up to see the world again. Then he knew it. He knew what had suddenly happened to him. As this new idea occurred in his already-packed brain, he thought, Oh god, I think I have fallen in…love.
Anyways reviews would be mucho mucho appreciated- tell me what you think of this version. Chapter two will be (I hope) coming out in February! Thnx to anyone who has already reviewed- I really appreciate it.
PS. The disclaimer: The story title is (sadly) not my creation- all Green Day's. Have a nice day!