Heaven’s Fall

“Oh? And where are we,” I said smugly, with a wry smile, in a vain attempt to sound cool.

“Wherever we want to be,” She whispered, gently pressing her forehead to mine. “Close your eyes.”

The two of us were no longer in the dusty room nestled high above the bustling streets below. No, we were flying. Soaring far above the clouds with the radiant sun at our backs. It filled us with warmth. We locked our hands and gently swayed as a ship does in the deep blue sea. Then, we locked arms, gently wrapping each other in a warm embrace before tumbling to the dusty wooden floor. I opened my eyes and our sun-filled backdrop was no more. Instead, there was only her and her shimmering green eyes dancing in the low light. Entranced, all I could do was stare. A slave to her gaze.

Finally, I stammered, “A-are you alright,” Still staring intently into her eyes.

With crimson cheeks, she nodded with a warm smile. For a moment we stayed just like that, starring into each other’s eyes. Gently, she wrapped her arms around my back and pulled me in. Our lips touched and suddenly we were back amongst the clouds. Oh, the sight of it, even heavens gates would be ill to compare. The dazzling scene swirled into a fury as a loud ring cut through the air. I threw my hand to the side, knocking over a glass of warm whiskey. The glass shattered and it's contents sprawled out across the old wooden floor. The sun was stifling as it cut through the curtains dangling beside the bed. It’s rays only adding to the incessant throbbing in my head. I reached for the half-bottle, still on the nightstand, and took a long, deep, swig before throwing it back down.

I turned back to see an empty bed and the hollow remnants of a life once lived. It seemed so long ago now and yet, nothing could slate this feeling inside. This hollow emptiness pushing me further down a chasm. Further into the abyss. I still longed to have that life back. I took another long drink as I pressed my lips firmly against the bottle. At least some things help me forget. I planted my feet on the floor and forced myself up. My body swayed like a toddler learning its first steps. I stumbled across the room, dragging my led feet across the dust-covered floorboards. Suddenly the world around tossed and turned. Next thing I knew, I found myself on my back looking up, with the bottle still safe in hand. At least my medicine made it. Lying there, I took another swig before slumping into a haphazard heap. I dusted the broken shards from my tattered shirt as I looked to the broken frame still resting on the nightstand. Through the broken shards lining the frame, I could see a pale, grotesque, creature staring back at me. How did it get this way?

That auburn-haired girl had become my curse. I took one last swig before murmuring, “Ah, you are the reason.”