Author's Note: This one is one of my favorites, but it does stir up a lot of negative emotions. I thought about changing the ending, but ultimately kept it the same (as everyone suggested). :-)
by Deanna CoultonTheme: Love
Helen glanced at the empty space beside her as she laid in bed. Where was Gavin this time? It seemed that he always disappeared at night, though she dared not question his loyalty.
Was he in the woods again?
She buttoned up her dress, walked into her slippers, and then proceeded to quietly sneak down the stairs, as if she might wake up someone if she was heard. Of course, there was no one that lived in that house except for Helen and Gavin.
The door creaked by the touch of her hand before she opened it just enough to let herself through. She then glanced to the left, where she would always see him.
Gavin didn't fail her this time. Surely enough, he was standing in front of the woods, watching her as she exited the house.
“Aren't you going to come inside?” She held her hair back to keep it under her own control, instead of the control of the gales.
She continued, “You're going to catch a cold!”
That night, she was pleased to have him whisper her to sleep. His soft voice reassured her that he'd always protect her and love her for an eternity. For Helen, this was the greatest feeling in the world. There was something so personal and affectionate about the way he spoke in a hushed voice.
In fact, it seemed like everything he had said for the past couple of years was quiet and hushed – just the way she preferred to live. It was just the two of them in their silent abode in the middle of the woods.
In the morning, Helen would fix her hair in the mirror, looking upon the pesky grays as they began to adopt reinforcements. Whenever she would become too discouraged in the war with them, Gavin would step behind her and hold her firmly. He was always such a sweet man, and the best husband a girl could ever ask for. But most importantly, he was always there to keep her company.
Her only qualm was that she'd wake up almost every night and have to make him come back inside. She couldn't sleep without his warmth. But, for some reason, he was so intent on visiting those woods.
That night was no different. She once again snuck down the stairs, peeked open the door, held her hair back, and called out to him. He was immediately staring at her, as if he was waiting for her to look for him.
The next day, Helen and Gavin were to expect company – her sister, in fact. It had been years since anyone, family members or otherwise, had been to their house. Her sister had insisted on visiting her for the first time in forever.
Bearing the same face, but not the same gray vermin in her locks, Helen found her sister to be quite a sight for sore (yet somewhat jealous) eyes. Her sister was much thinner than she was, but had lived her whole life alone. This was the one way that Helen considered the scales to be in her favor.
“Are you doing well?” Her sister finally asked, after a long moment of awkward smiles.
“Yes, yes, quite fine.” Helen pleasantly responded.
There was a solemn pause before Helen's sister would speak again, “I just wanted to ask that you return home. You're bound to be depressed out here in the woods.”
“No, I'm fine, really.” Helen folded her hands above her lap, with one leg over the other and her shoulders slightly leaned back.
The twin face across the table took a deep breath before she would continue, “but, I think it would really help for you to get away from the site of...” she paused in sorrow, “...the accident.”
Helen still remained calm, “I have Gavin here. I'll be alright.”
After a brief moment of awe, Helen's sister would grow the face of a ghost and let her mouth fall open. She would not speak for another minute or two.
“But...Gavin has been dead for three years now.”
It wouldn't be long before Helen would shoo her sister out of the house and reject her offer entirely – possibly even demanding that she never return for another visit.
And then, Helen would remember everything: the crashing sound, the large oak that rested upon him, the reports in news, the funeral, the long period of hiding afterward, and then...the solace. The peace. The feeling of comfort as she saw him standing in the woods for the first time one night.
Helen took a step backwards, dragging the weight of three years of overdue sorrow with her. She wept uncontrollably for what felt like days, weeks, or even an eternity.
Eventually, her face would become dry again, and when this happened, she confronted the woods once more. This time, she didn't bring an open heart, but a large can of gasoline and a match.
Helen watched as the flames consumed everything that held a place in her heart. She tried her best not to cry, but she really couldn't help it.
Discord
Light Style