Oblivion

EVA LEVESQUE Smoke in the air burned houses and dead bodies. The smell of blood and ash mixed lingered through my nose as I was desperately gasping for air. The skies are dark and the stars disappeared from the view as thick smoke made its way up to the heavens. The colored red blends with the dark sky, a reflection of the fire in the burning city taking down lives. As I lay down in the cold concrete surrounded by my blood gushing out of my abdomen I stared at the blurry figure slowly walking towards me. A sense of someone familiar, someone warm and someone I loved. I had a vague look at his sword, blood dripping down from it as he slowly drags it across the concrete making a high pitch sound like dragging your fingernails along the chalkboard. Since when did this all come to this? What went wrong? What did I do wrong? Was there possibly something I could do to prevent this from happening? Oh gosh. I never even told him how I felt about him properly. All those years following him and loving him from afar. His footsteps came closer until I saw the untied lace on his boots. He kneeled just enough for me to see the blurred vision of his features. Not clear enough to see the pain in his eyes or the malice in his smile. I don’t even know who this person in front of me is anymore. I tried to reach my hand out to him, with every ounce of strength I have left. But I barely even got the chance to lift it until everything went dark. I never even got to say I love you Maybe this is how it all ends. Maybe this is what makes life fair. Everyone dies no matter how young or old you are. No matter how many things you regret, no matter how many dreams you still want to reach. Because death waits for no one, and death always takes pride in his work in reaping the souls of those whose candles are almost out. As my body was surrounded by pitch black, I could only remember the things I did with him. I can only remember the people who meant so much to me. How I regret not telling them I love them. I regret not treating them the best that I could. If only I noticed sooner, the sadness in his eyes. The pain that he hid behind those smiles. If only I realized sooner, I would be able to protect him. I’d do anything just to turn back time and protect him, no matter the cost, no matter the price. Because saving him not only meant saving the person I love, It also meant saving people from the doom that he will bring once he awakens. “Would you like to try it one last time?” A voice of a man echoed in the pitch-black emptiness. I could not see him nor feel his presence. He was just there, as a voice trying to talk to me. “Would you like to try, one last time to save the people you love?” he asked once again. I was wary and yet I felt nothing but regret at the moment. “For what price?” I asked the voice. To whom it answered with a low chuckle. “You know the rules of giving and take, human,” he answered, slight amusement in his voice. “The price for turning back time will be your most precious memories. The life you’ve lived up until now. From your seventeenth birthday up until now,” he answered. “Just that?” I asked. I realized that even if he takes my memories away, I can just make new ones. But then I realized, if he takes my memories away, how should I know what I could do to prevent everything from happening again? He laughed once again. “Do not underestimate the value of one’s life worth of memories.” He told me in a warning tone. “ Memories and experiences are what make up a life. Without it, your life is just one empty vessel.” “But how can I change things if I won’t remember why I came back in the first place?” I asked the voice once again. “A piece of paper, a reminder of your past. It will be your guide to doing things right this time.” He whispered as the voice faded. I wanted to ask more questions. I wanted to ask who he was or why he’s doing this for me, but then before I could even utter a single word it felt like I was pulled out from that dark abyss. Traveling in space and time. The only thing I remembered was that sharp pain in my chest, like someone, was digging its sharp claws inside of me, gaping at my heart, and even with just a gentle squeeze, my whole body was in pain. I screamed and cried begging it to stop, clawing my chest with my own bare hands as if taking the hand squeezing off my heart even though it wasn’t there. Then the pain suddenly stopped. Everything went silent and then finally, everything went dark. -- I wokein a in cold sweat, like I was running while I was asleep. My body felt tired and heavy, I was lightheaded and dizzy. I feel like throwing up except my stomach was empty. I breathed heavily and slowly got up. I can’t remember a single thing that happened to me. What day was it today? What time is it? Where am I? Who am I? I heard the birds chirping outside of my window, sunlight slowly peeking through the cream-colored curtains that my father chose for me. Cool and fresh air entered my room. I was laying in my four-poster bed with the night lamp still on from last night. I sat down and leaned against the headboard. I tried to remember what happened yesterday but my memory’s all fuzzy and blur. I was extremely confused and I felt like I was in pain. Was I in a fight with monsters yesterday? As I was trying to remember, it only made my head hurt but then, the door cracked open. Someone peeked through and when he realized I was awake, he opened the door completely and walked inside with his can in his right hand. “You’re awake?” he shyly asked, “I tried to make breakfast but—” The smell of burnt food entered the room. The man in front of me shyly scratched the back of his head. I don’t know why but tears started to well my eyes. My chest tightened and without even realizing it, I ran towards him crying. Why do I feel like I lost him before? -- END