Page 75 - Fallen Thoughts

only darkness I did not dispel- to melt away from my mouth and I return her

gesture.

As I make my way to the road Scruffy limps toward me.

“Hey there,” I coo to the stray, “You’re a hero, y’know that, right?”

We hobble down the sidewalk together, “How ‘bout you come home with

me?”

Scruffy’s pitch tongue lolls happily at my suggestion.

I stagger up the fire escape and eventually give in to my screaming ankle

and use the shadow of a flower pot to fashion a crutch to take some pressure off

my leg.

As soon as I crawl through my bedroom window I collapse on the floor, not

bothering to close the window behind me. Scruffy jumps in and curls up on my

reading chair.

“Chelsea?” my eyes shoot open at the sound of my name.

I gather myself on the floor as I let the shadows covering my body dissolve,

leaving me in the clothes I left the apartment in, only much bloodier. I told myself

I would explain to her what I am, but seeing her here, her forehead creased and

worry etched along her face, I don’t know if I can even speak.

My eyes sting and I swallow down a sob as I start to choke out, “Meagan,

I’m sorry, I didn’t know how to tell you. And I hated lying to you, but I didn’t

want to lose you. I can’t lose you. I don’t deserve you. I’m sorry.”

Meagan’s eyes are glossy as I watch her turn out of the doorway and walk

out of sight. I let my tears flow now, I couldn’t stop them if I tried. I love her, I
love her. But she would be happier without me. I know it, and she knows it. I’ll

have to figure out how to be alone again, and after Meagan taught me how to let
people in, it’ll be hard, but she deserves the world, even if I’m not in the picture.