Peace in the Rain

Hello my dear readers! Today I’m posting another short story and tomorrow I will be posting again to tell you about my book!!!  I guess I should preface this with I suffer from depression and anxiety and at times things get incredibly hard. Writing these stories, though they are dark, help me through that. Turning my darkness and depression into something that others can enjoy brings me happiness. Anyway, this short story I wrote a while ago from a story prompt I found again on Pinterest. Not sure where it is from, but it was to “end a story/scene with the words I always found peace in the rain.” So here it is! Hope you enjoy!

I make my way through the gray headstones. My suit coat flutters behind me but I don’t feel the wind. I look up and the last of the funeral goers are making their way back to the parking lot away from me.

Good.

No will know I was here.

Clouds darken and mirror the guilt inside me. My burden weighs me down and my steps are harder to take. Finally I reach the fresh dirt marking her grave.

Emily Schwartz. 1992-2008.

A water droplet darkens her headstone and I look at the sky but rain hasn’t fallen, yet. I touch my face and see the tears cling to my fingers, gathering, and falling again on her headstone. My skin is numb. Has been since the accident.

A shout brings me to turn my head and I see Emily’s brother. The way he stalks toward me tells me I should be afraid but all I feel is guilt. He should be angry at me. It’s all my fault. I take a few steps toward him. I’m ready. Punish me for my awful mistake. The mistake that took your sister’s life. I want to say this but my body won’t respond. His red face is shoved into mine and I see his mouth moving but I hear nothing.

Suddenly all I see are the clouds. I hear thunder as my head slams into something, her headstone. I see the rain drops coming at me and hear them hit all around me. I can feel them. My burden is gone, and I realize as everything darkens…

I’ve always found peace in the rain.


Hello, Death, My Love

Hallooo! (said like Tigger) Here we are for a second time! Amazing! Today as promised, kind of, is a short story. It is from a writing prompt found on Pinterest. Yes… I know. I call Pinterest, The Deep Dark Hole because I always spend way more time on there then I intend to. ANYway, it is from the website proptuarium.wordpress.com. The prompt is this: “Death and I have been scandalously intimate for some time now.” And here we go…. ?

July 9, 2020

            I’ve decided to keep a journal. It was his idea, actually. He said he wanted to know my thoughts about our relationship. Silly man. I would do anything for him.

Death and I have been scandalously intimate for some time now. It started innocently enough. He intrigued me. When I turned 25, I started seeking him out. I was clumsy at first. I left that poor person out in the open, but I was just so excited to see him. He walked with me as I’d pick someone out. He even helped me, pointing out who wouldn’t be missed and who would be a low risk to me but as soon as the person’s soul left them, he was gone yet again.

           I’ve gotten much better over the years. My farm hides those poor soul’s bodies very well and even if the Canine Unit comes around, they’ll first find dead animals before they reach people. It’s been quite an adventure. There’s just one problem. I haven’t been on a hunt for a few weeks now, but he’s been around. I love seeing him and talking. You should hear the stories he can tell. I keep wondering if it’s my turn now. I wouldn’t be surprised. The news talks about all the “missing” people I used to talk to him about. I know the FBI is on the case. I’ve left behind an MO apparently. I can’t imagine what they are talking about. Oh, he’s here again!

            “Hello, Death, my love,” I say.

            “Hello.”

            “What brings you here?”

           “Oh, you know, death. As always.” He smiles as we wanders around the room looking at my reminders of all the ones who have brought me closer to him.

            “But whose? You never tell me anymore. I assume it’s mine. I’m the only one here that’s still alive.” I pout at him from my chair. My limbs are old and it’s hard to move too much anymore.

            “Are you sure?” he asks me. He glances at me out of the corner of his eye and it sets my heart fluttering.

            “What? You can’t mean to say the FBI found me. I’ve been too careful. I’ve followed all your instructions. YOU said I would never be caught,” I say, pointing my finger at him.

            “Ah, about that. I’ve realized there’s a better way for us to be together. So, I’ve been leaving behind clues about you, about us, for a while now. It’s all been linked to that very first and messy crime scene, my dear. I’m sorry but it really is for the best.” He walks around as he talks, picking things up and setting them back down.

            “What do you mean?”

            “Well…”

            “How could you not tell me there is a better way for us to be together?!” My frustration and anger propel me out of my chair and towards him. He takes a step back surprised at my outburst.

            “Now, dear, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I wasn’t sure you would like it. You must get caught. Someone has to pay for these crimes you’ve committed.”

            “I only did it for us,” I whisper. I touch him arm and look longingly into his eyes.

            “Alright,” he says, and he links his arm in mine and leads me back to my chair. “Sit here. The authorities will be here soon. We will be together forever my darling, I promise. Here take this.”

           He hands me the pistol that I used on that first poor soul. The cold metal sits heavy in my hand. It seems to be heavier than I remember or maybe I’m just that frail now. It was an awful long time ago. The door bangs open and men rush in with FBI and SWAT on their chests. I hold up the gun with both hands and watch as the end shakes.

            “You’ll never take me alive,” I say as I squeeze the trigger. I hear the shot, and something hits me. I look down to see blood pouring out of me then up into the black eyes I’ve come to love. I notice a little flame in the back of them as he leans in close.

            “Hello, Death, my love,” I exhale with my last breath.