Come Alive

Short story written for a school project, I might continue with the story. I don't know yet. *shrug*

I take a step forward. "How did I get here?" I find myself asking no one in particular. It is nighttime, 9:30 (im guessing) and I am walking down the middle of a deserted street that had been bursting forth with energy, light, and life just hours before that selfsame day. A street lamp to my left has been flickering as long as I've been here, and as I walk through a dark alley, I smell vanilla, a sweet scent that leaves a bitter taste in the back of my mouth. I stop, shivering, and remember the warm touch of my love's hand around mine. He departed a short time ago in searched of food and possibly shelter. I look down to the vacant space; dark, cold, almost like a black hole, it seemed. I come to a clearing and sit down on a nearby park bench, and press my hands between my thighs in a vain effort of keeping them warm. I close my eyes and begin counting aloud every tap of my worn shoes on the old cement sidewalk. Shivering once again, and more violently this time, I pull my knees to my chest and rest my tired feet, in pain, on the old cedar block that once brought such joy to this world. I listen intently to the noises surrounding my presence; the street lamp being hit relentlessly by its chain, a wolf howling, the sound of footsteps as my love draws ever closer to my side. I listen to the rustling of the wind through the brittle grey leaves of a tree gripped in Death's cold hands. It is almost as though I can hear the screams of those who have walked along this very path. I can hear them calling out to me, pleading, begging me not to walk their path because they know the danger, they have seen the pain and destruction it brings. I smell that same sweet savour as my love sits next to me, enveloping my hand in his and whispering, "It's going to be okay, I promise." I lean my head on his shoulder, take a deep breath, and close my eyes. As I rest my free hand on his forearm, I can feel his protective nature, that strength quivering underneath his skin, and all the fear that dare pervade my thoughts and emotions vanish, because I know I'm safe as long as he is with me. My leg twitches and I open my eyes, studying the building in front of me curiously. The white and brown brick, and the red-trim windows bring back a memory I can't quite place. Its okay, for I am safe now, as I witness the night Come Alive.