Misery

The darkness baffled her. So quiet and calm, yet so deadly and menacing. She felt the cold night breeze on her face. Just as she thought it reminded her of ice, it turned its freezing touch into a mothers embrace. "Strange", she thought, "if I've begun to find solace in all things not warm". A hysterical laugh escaped her lips. Leaves rusted beneath her feet, as they traversed the muddy side walk. The crunch of twigs accompanied her on her solitary journey. As she turned to her right, a worry as old as the universe itself settled upon her again.

Gnawing and gashing its ugly teeth, it accomplished what it always did- tear into her fragile little heart. She knew no peace of mind, no complete joy. Try as she might, moments of happiness would always be marred with scars of the past. Her bloodshot eyes saw all, yet they did not see. Her thin hands clutched a pendant to her chest. It was said that when all hope deserted her, this tiny piece of silver was what kept the flame burning inside her. For oft she was surrounded by people, yet she was alone. A single tear rolled down her pale cheek. Even as she looked to the skies, a sole word was let loose upon the churning air- why?

She had lived the perfect life- or so everyone thought. It was at best an illusion she projected to the outside world. But she had tried her best. She had been doing everything right. Then why had her word turned upside down. The tumult in her refused to die down. Her legs felt like lead as she dragged herself forward, towards the end of this mad world. She grasped her little token tighter, and emptied her lungs. She had thought that she could hope; smile and believe but little had she known that her Pandora box was empty. She was the third wheel; the oddity, the disfigurement in everyone's lives. "It's time", she decided. And with that she stepped into Mother Earth's open arms.

Whoooooosh. The wind rushed her face , as if trying in vain to grab her, to stop her. Never had she known such lightness. Never had she felt such sudden pumping of her blood. For a second she was afraid. But the next moment, fear melted from her. As she descended into darkness , she took in a deep breath.

"This is the only peace I will ever know. This is how it is supposed to end. This is the only comfort I will ever need…", with that revelation, she smiled. Even as the Earth rose up to meet her daughter, she spiraled downward faster , and for once….she was content. This would be her last fall.

As if in protest, the elements reared and roared. The air charged with angry electricity. The wind howled into the night and battered everything in sight. The Heavens seemed to be in sorrow as well; down came the greatest volley of celestial tears that man had ever witnessed. All things living ran aimlessly, for that night, even their beloved Earth, offered no refuge. Later, as man would think back, he'd remember how the warmth had seeped out of his heart, when the little candle in the corner of his house breather no more. Alas, the universe was in mourning.