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Scanned, re-read, and redefined as of 6/21/14.


Bleed

"I won't stop,"

Quiet whispers couldn't echo in the tunnel he faced. Down the tunnel shined a light bright enough to blind anyone who marched toward it. The light created a silhouette of a young woman who didn't need to reveal herself. He needed no sight of her features to feel a connection to this young woman. All he needed was a step forward.

"You're a brave man,"

Hesitation held him at his ankles. Her small body wore a dress so beautiful, it flowed in a breathless wind on the other side of the tunnel. Her short hair fell down to kiss the skin on her shoulders. It was a sight of blind beauty that called hesitation to eat at a meal of fear. His heart danced rapidly.

"You're a strong man,"

The shadowed tunnel began to stretch in size, and the young woman began to disappear from his sight. A desperate hand escaped from his side, calling silently for her. Wrinkles appeared on his face as he felt a striking pain at his chest. He was fragile.

"Bando...,"

And she had the strength to break him. The white light down the tunnel dimmed, giving light to another woman who bore ears from another kind. Hesitation filled its hunger as it let go of his ankles. Freely, he rushed toward the figure who stood in between he and the young beauty on the other side. An invisible force attacked him in his attempt to reach her. It scratched at his body, leaving him to bleed through his shirt.

"Bando...,"

It continued to attack wildly at him, smacking the tinted glasses off from his face. The light blinded his bare sight. The young woman from the other side never paused to whisper his name. Her voice never echoed through the tunnel, not until they reached his ears. He fell to the ground, wincing as the invincible force took his legs.

"Bando!"

An echo. An echo that grew so close that the tunnel vanished, and a blue sky lay above him. A small face entered his fading image. Petite hands landed on the sides of his face and began to caress the tears he shed. Hair fell upon his shoulders to kiss them at the same time she kissed his dry lips. There was nothing more said. All he remembered was a soft kiss and there was no need for the young woman who planted it to reveal herself, for all he needed was a step forward. Even then, he saw a glimpse of a blinding heaven that promised she'd be there waiting for him at the end of the tunnel.


This story is inspired by, "Human" by Christina Perri.

Have a wonderful day!