Night Changes

day 10

“Come on”, she said while doing that weird thing with her eyes. I sighed before intertwining our hands. Anika grinned and I just smiled at her. Whatever she did next, was totally unexpected.

She stepped closer and kissed me. I didn't expect her to do anything like that, so I just stood there, with my eyes open wide. Anika pulled away and looked at me, but she seemed disappointed.

“You never kiss me back”, she whispered and her head dropped. My eyes widened once again. Was she sad because I wasn't the one kissing her? Dear Lord.

“I-i”, I tried to say something but my cheeks started heating up again and my hand wandered to the back of my neck.

Anika looked up and I just stood there embarrassed. But this time, for myself. She was about to step away, when I held on to her hand and pecked her lips.

When I pulled away, she was smiling like a kid. She grabbed my hand and we spent some good amount of time, just walking around, throwing stones into the lake.

After that we decided to have lunch together. Anika took me to her favorite restaurant and ordered her favorite dish for me, while I picked one for her. I had gotten her a burger. While she had gotten me italian ravioli.

She kept giggling from time to time, which kept making me laugh. When we were done eating, I paid for the lunch. Anika kept glaring at me, so I asked her to buy me coffee.

“I want to take some pictures”, she told me and took out her phone. I wasn't very photogenic, but I understood her need to capture the moment.

Anika put her arm around me and I looked at her, before I noticed, she had already clicked a picture. She looked at it with such warmth in her eyes, that it could've also melted ice.

And just like that, time passed and I reached her place. It was time to say goodbye. But both of us didn't want to. She knew that the moment she'd let go of me, I'd never come back. And I was aware that as soon as I'd leave from here, I wouldn't see her again.

She looked at me with tears filled in her eyes and I wiped them away one last time. Anika's grip tightened around my pinky finger.

“Thank you”, I whispered, my forehead resting against her. I smiled at her, but Anika's beautiful face had only a frown to offer.

“I wish, my love for you would've been enough.... enough to stay”, I told her and  gulped. I slowly tried to pull away, but her grip was too tight. She kept shaking her head and my heart started aching.

“Just a little more”, she said on the brink of falling apart. I cupped her face and pressed my lips against hers as a way for farewell.

When I pulled away, Anika hugged me tightly and I let her. Because I didn't want to take away her right on me. I was alway going to be hers, but I needed her to be somebody elses.

I slowly pulled away and started walking backwards, while waving at her. Anika didn't move from her place and soon I had turned around, because I couldn't see her falling down.

Fifteen minute later, I had finally reached the same place where I tried to take my life just ten days ago. A hill surrounded by nothing more than some dead trees. The air seemed tight and the clouds were suddenly covering the night sky. I looked up and a water drop fell onto my cheek.

“I'm here to go”, I whispered and suddenly it started pouring rain. I turned my head and there he stood. You could only ever feel his presence, but nobody really knew what he looked like.

The Angel of Death.

“Are you really ready to go?”

I stood there empty. Just ten days ago, I had nothing to think of when he asked me this question. But today, a beautiful girl came to my mind and I could feel myself growing weaker even thinking about her.

I was drenched due to the rain falling from the sky and it had made it harder for me to keep my eyes open. I was about to nod, when I felt two arms wrap around my waist. Her head rested against my shoulder and I stood there shocked. I looked at him.

“Anika?”

“If you really have to go, take me with you”, she cried out loud and I looked at her horrified. I turned my head to look at him.

I was about to push her way when the church bell rang and I slipped. I kept my eyes on him and he pushed his cane against the floor.

Slowly, I turned my head and my eyes widened at the sight in front of me. Anika was still pressed against me and her head was buried in the crook of my neck. That's when a voice rang in my ears, causing me to shiver out of fear.

“You weren't the only one asking for escape all this time”
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Holy Moly, we have finally reached the end. Did you feel the excitement as well? I did.

Amna xx