Antidote to Love

I gripped the vial tightly around my fist, hoping the sweat on my palms didn't make it slide out of my fingers. "You sure this will work?"

I didn't trust the man's maniacal smile or the glint in his malicious brown eyes. But he was my only hope. "Yes. It'll end the heartache, the pining, those thorny fantasies of yours. All of it will be gone with one sip. Poof!" He popped opened his fist to a magical empty hand. He was waiting and watching me.

I should take it, I thought, looking at the cure before me. My heart felt like it was going to run out of my chest. The potion would fix that, and it would steady my breathing, and take away all thoughts of her. Still, I hesitated. I looked out the window beside me, up into the sky where the full moon cast it's glowing shadow upon us. There were lots of stars out tonight. She once told me her favorite constellation was Andromeda.

My mind raced. I didn't know how this antidote worked. Would it take away all of my memories? Would I no longer remember her glorious smile the first day we met and my heart stopped? Would I no longer recall the night on the roof we shared secrets and sipped champagne? The time I literally took a bullet for her, the metal burrying into my shin, and through the unbearable pain, it was fine because she was okay? And then the other day. When I kissed her and she told me she had someone else. As she said it, there were tears in her eyes. That hurt worse than the bullet.

I gripped the vial tighter, so tight my knuckles turned white. I thought I would do anything to take that pain away. But, I didn't want to lose the connection I had with her. Even when the spark inevitably fizzles to an ember.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, more to myself than the man in front of me. I dropped the vial to the ground, the glass shattering into a hundred pieces, pink liquid oozing from its core.

The mysterious man frowned. "You're a fool," he hissed, and vanished beneath his cloak.

I shrugged into the empty air. "I know. But I love her. I will always love her."