The Price of Freedom
My eyes open slowly, blinking back the glare from the now dimming light. The battle is over, but the taste of victory is bittersweet upon my tongue. I'm dying. I know that. My life flows from me almost as quickly as the blood from my numerous wounds, but I'm not afraid. I dove into this battle head first knowing it would cost me my life.
A sigh escapes my lips. None of that matters now. That was the price I was willing to pay for freedom, for the knowledge that even though my life has come to an end you, my angel, can live a peaceful life.
I wince, as this thought sends a wave of regret through me. I know you will view my actions as selfish, I realize now that maybe they were. I just wanted so much for you to be free, so much that it almost became an obsession. That's why I marched into battle alone, that's why I was willing to sacrifice everything.
Another thought drifts through my broken mind. Will you think of me as a hero when I'm gone? More importantly will you be able to forgive me despite the pain I know my death will cause you? Tears blur the edges of my vision. God I wish I could see you just one more time. To die with your face in my mind, and your name on my lips would make my passing all the easier.
The pain in my chest intensifies. It hurts just to breathe. Now more than ever I wish I could see my angel once more to feel your hand in mine, to see the beauty of your impossibly blue eyes just once more.
For a moment my mind fills with despair and all hope lost. Then I hear it, a heart breaking sob. I open my eyes again to see your face looming above me against the back drop of the dismal gray sky. You drop to your knees beside me, and reach out a shaking hand to brush the blood- matted hair from my face. My name dies upon your lips, replaced by another sob. The eyes I love, my own personal twin skies, are clouded with pain. My heart breaks at the sight, and with the last of my strength I pull your head to my chest trying to give whatever comfort I can.
"Why?" you whisper against my chest. I search for an answer. I could tell you it was all for you. That I did it so you wouldn't have to live life constantly looking over your shoulder, but that would only make your pain all the worse. I can't bear that, so instead I answer weakly, my voice unnaturally soft and scratchy with lack of use,
"For freedom." I feel you stiffen at my answer.
"What is the point of freedom if the reason I live is dead?" my angel sobs pitifully . My heart can break no further, but I feel it give a painful throb at your words.
"I know, Baby. It's going to be hard at first, but I want you to live." I paused to draw in a hard won breath, " Don't worry, I'll never truly leave you I'll always be close wherever you are, and when your time comes I'll be waiting for you." I feel you give a shaky nod.
With that my arm falls, the last of my strength gone. You lean back, the porcelain of your face marred by my blood and your tears, and yet you had never looked so beautiful. I hear you whisper one last 'I love you', and a smile curves my lips.
So, my story does have a bit of a happy ending after all. My life is over, but I can take comfort in the knowledge that this isn't really goodbye. Black overtakes the edges of my vision. Though my eyes may close forever at least you, my sweet angel, can remember that I died with a smile on my face and your love in my heart. My last breath comes as a single word, "Goodnight."