Merely Asleep

Sometimes, good days become bad days, and bad days become the worst day of your life. But, it's never expected.

How can the greatest day of my life, turn so quickly into the worst.

Thoughts raced through my head as I sat quietly by the hospital bed, my satin dress, ruined.  The dress I had worked so hard to find.  Chosen carefully, excited to see the look on his face when he saw me in it.  Now, one side was ripped open, blood, my own and his, splattered across the fabric.  Soot was ground into the bodice and I knew it would never come out.

I choked back another sob and took his hand again.  He squeezed my fingers feebly and turned his head--with great effort--to look at me.  The color was quickly fading out of his eyes.  The light that always danced around, when he smiled, laughed, cried or just gazed at me longingly was gone.

His stare was blank, glazed and slightly confused.  I reached over and stroked a few stray curls off his forehead.  The corners of his now pale lips pulled up into a tight, labored smile.  I did not smile back.

The doctor came in then, her bright, alert eyes and fiery hair blurred by my tears.  "He won't make it, will he?" I asked quietly, desperately hoping to hear the answer I knew was not coming.

"I'm afraid not, love," she said, flicking some hair over her shoulder, "His chances at this point are very slim."

"He can't die," I sniffled and wiped my nose on the back of my hand, "He just became mine."

My vision went blank for a second, then flashed to the crumpled, ruined heap that was the car.  Just Married was written in the back window in fancy script. Flowers, now burnt and squashed were attatched to the back bumper.  The windows were blown out, the interior charred.  My mind was mocking me.  Reminding me cruelly, of what had happened only hours ago.

"Why don't you go shower, and change.  Clean up a bit," the doctor suggested.

"I won't leave him," I whispered.

"He won't be here much longer."

"Why do you think I won't leave him?!" I shouted, leaping out of my chair, "I won't let him die, knowing I could have had just one more minute with him! Even if he can't say anything!"

The doctor was stunned, speechless.

Then, he spoke.  His voice was raspy, strained and sounded as if it caused him a great amount of pain.  But, his words were directed at me, "I love you," he said.  The words were musical, despite the voice spoken in.  He loved me.

I turned to him, wanting to run and hug him, but he was no longer looking at me.  Instead, his head was turned towards the window, his eyes closed peacefully. Gray-white pieces of ash still clung to his long, thick eyelashes.  He looked peaceful, at rest.  But his chest did not rise.  Nor did it fall.  He did not take a breath.

Merely asleep.

He was merely asleep, holding his breath.

My eyes filled with tears that overflowed.

Merely asleep.

Author's Note

The characters do not have names, for two main reasons.
1. I couldn't decide which of my characters to make them
2. It adds a more...secretive, almost suspenseful mood.