Authors Note: Hello! I hope that you enjoy my story. I've had this idea for a while, and I had to get it down. I don't quite know when I will be publishing the next part. I may or may not continue this story, it depends on how many people like it. Commentary is welcomed, as is constructive criticism. Profanity and put-downs are not. I would highly appreciate if you commented or followed/favorite my work, and I would give you a cookie!
At night, the nightmares come.
Winifred's blond hair danced in the wind. She stepped carefully along the dirt road along with Edmund, her eyes taking in the whole scenery. The both of them were silent while they walked, for different reasons. Winifred wanted to say something, but just couldn't come up with anything to say.
Edmund stopped suddenly, and Winifred stopped also in surprise. His soft, blue eyes reached up to hers, and she offered him a soft smile wracked with grief. "Hey, we're almost home," she said, pointing in the distance where a white house loomed. She tried to forget for him, but it was impossible to forget the frightening fact that she was alone.
His golden bangs fell into his eyes, hiding the swirling torment in them. "I missed you."
Winifred started in surprise, staring at him in shock. Where had this come from? But she didn't hesitate to return the favor. "I missed you too." A soft smile crept up on her lips. "You don't have to leave again. You can stay here with me," she added cheerfully, putting on another façade. She grabbed his hand.
He shook his head and pulled his hand out from her grip. "Don't worry, Win. I won't be gone for long, I promise."
Winifred knew the secret code he laced into his words. Even if she missed him, he was still going. But he promised that he would come back. She tried to convince herself that would be enough. "Well, you know I'll be there to pick you up from the train station." A false grin crept up to her face and stayed there like a stain. "I'll be the first person you see, alright?" She tried to keep her voice from breaking and to keep herself from choking up.
He hugged her. Winifred felt her eyes grow blurry with tears, and leaned into his embrace. His arms were tight around her, but she loved the comfort it gave her. She would miss his soft touch. She wouldn't let the tears spill. They could water, but she couldn't allow them to actually fall. It was already so difficult, watching him go. He was all she had left.
"When I get back, we'll come back here to Lisemburg, alright?" Edmund's voice was soft, and she gripped him tighter. She could feel his warm breath against her ear.
"Yeah. Better hurry up though, I don't think I can stay with granny for long." She smiled.
She fell out of the embrace and so did he, both holding back tears. "Don't worry, when I get back we'll see each other again."
The scene changed rapidly, a quick flashback that left Winifred breathless. The image of a burning blimp crashing and him standing innocently on the sidelines. She couldn't get the imagined image of him burning in a fiery crash out of her mind. That was real life, and she never wanted this dream to end. She never wanted to stop pretending he was real.
"Yeah." She barely choked the word out. "I will see you," she said softly. Will I?
"Hey, why did you cut your hair?" Edmund sputtered out randomly, obviously trying to change the subject. It was reasonable, considering her waist length hair was cut to her shoulders. She wasn't surprised that he changed the subject to that.
She smiled. "I don't know, I guess I needed a change." She giggled softly at a memory that suddenly arose. "You know how I am, I've always wanted to leave this town, even as a kid."
He grinned. "Yeah, our plan was to get out of here with Alfons." He looked sadly at the house that used to be inhibited by Alfons Heiderich. "I guess that was what ended up happening." He frowned; they had always wanted to leave this place together. Alfons' studies led him to some fancy university, he was going off to the war and Winifred was going to stay with their grandmother. The dreams of exploring the universe had long disappeared.
Winifred's features had also turned melancholy. "Well, we should pay one last visit."
Ed waved her off. "You can do that, Win. Send them my regards. I really need to get packed." He left without another word, leaving Winifred lost and hurting. She was alone again, in this winding countryside, with no answers. Just pain.
Winifred's eyes blinked open, and she could feel hot trails down her face. As they ran into her mouth she tasted the salt and realized they were tears. She wiped her eyes with her arm, but more tears came. So she lay in her bed, crying silently for what was lost.
The latest I'll update is next Sunday, so be prepared! :)
