WitFit Challenge, August 8, 2011
Prompt: Dialogue Flex – "Dance with me," he asked. Rated T.
Walking into the room, he saw her sitting on the edge of the bed, her gaze locked onto the radio beside her on the bedside table, looking at it as if she could see music flowing out of its speakers. The song playing was a bluesy but lighthearted number, not at all reflective of the somber mood she was in. He studied her countenance closer and found her eyes were blank, her face impassive. This was the expression she wore when she was lost in her thoughts. It was different from the marked knitting of her brow when trying to piece together clues or figure out how to fix things. When her emotions got the best of her mind, she was at the mercy of her thoughts, buffeted and adrift in her own head, bodily present but mindlessly so far away.
The stress of their situation had reached fever pitch that afternoon. He himself had taken off, opting to linger in the woods the rest of the day so he could gather his wits about him, so he could calm down before allowing himself company again. He hadn't expected to hear music when he returned, but there was something - magic, maybe - that lifted his spirits upon hearing the melody, reminding him that even if the world around them was going to hell, there were moments they could steal for themselves and choose to relish, moments in which they not only survived but truly lived.
He approached her silently, not wanting to startle her out of her reverie, then let his actions speak as he held his hand out to her. It took a while for her to even register his presence, lost as she was in her musings. When she did realize he was standing in front of her, it took her another heartbeat to look at his extended hand. She took it warily; he pulled her up gently so she could stand.
Holding her gaze and keeping her hand in his, he smiled softly at her. "Dance with me," he asked with his eyes, saying nothing while he started moving along to the rhythm of the music in the background.
She only stared at him at first, as if trying to figure out his intention, but then she too started swaying a bit, following his lead. It took some time, but soon they were smiling, which built up to laughter. Her eyes were bright and oh, her laughter… whether it was with him or at him didn't matter. It gave him hope that things would somehow work themselves out. Twirls and dips were interspersed with light steps and gentle hugs, with a weary head resting on a strong but tired shoulder.
As the song came to an end, the smile slipped from her face, her hold on his hands became lax, and her thoughts took her away again as she found her seat next to the radio. Once again she became still and silent as the next song started to play.
He could only guess what was on her mind.