Short Stories

Faded memory

I walk through the sea of people, dodging shoulders and mumbling apologies every time my body brushes someone else's. Everyone is too in their lives, their attention unwavering from the conversations and thoughts, but I barely glance at them, dancing between their bodies in a rushed attempt to escape the crowd.

I wrap my arms tighter around myself, shrinking my body to fit through every gap and opening I find. I move faster when—

Something rushes past my vision. It catches my attention, it could have been just another person, but I know it isn't. It's different.

I halt, turning on my heel to look. My eyes find her. There's a flurry of green fabric behind her, and before I know what Im doing, Im rushing back to her.

It triggers something within me.

Images flood my mind as I catch glimpses of her. I see a flash of blonde hair, then skin, pale skin. It reminds me of the smell of flowers blooming in spring.

Something soft.

I remember the feeling of silk against my skin, like the whisper of a touch, it's subtle and gentle, and the voice that follows, I can't help but notice, feels just like silk.

"Don't forget me..."

I move my legs faster, no longer noticing or caring about the way I push people out of the way, or how I almost throw a boy to the ground. Tears run down my cheeks. Why am I crying?

"Don't forget me..." the voice whisper in my head again.

More images flood my mind. Hands. Beautiful hands caress my face, they're soft and gentle, a feather touch. Then I see flowers, tiny little white flowers, they bend beneath the wind that plays with their petals— and there's something more, a green dress dances with them, it's breathtaking. Rain begins to fall next. I feel it softly falling against my face, tickling my back as they leave a wet trail down my spine. It's slow and delicate, and for that short moment, Im there.

But then I open my eyes.

I keep running.

The girl continues moving, and with every step I take, this feeling within me grows. It's like Im forgetting something important, or like Im finally opening my eyes to something I didn't know was there, or was forgetting. Like the light has finally fallen upon  something hidden, like pieces of something so foreign yet so, so familiar are coming together.

The crowd has been left behind now, and I suddenly find myself brushing branches and leaves instead of people. My feet step on earth and water, the cool water rising and splashing over my legs.

I've seen this, I've been here.

Nature engulf me, and there, beneath the filtered sunlight, I see a clearing, and there, I see her.

I push through the remaining distance, and the puzzle seems to be nearing it's completeness.

I see her face, soft and blurred, tears are falling down her cheeks, and her hands are on mine, but there's something wrong and harsh. There's blood coming from my stomach. She kisses my forehead and the memory fades into nothing, but not before I speak.

"I won't forget you..."

I open my eyes and stop before her.

She smiles, "You have returned, my love."