Writing Adventures

Flash Friday: Unforgettable

2nd April, 2010 - No Comments

He stood watching her from the edge of the light. She danced with pure energy around the bonfire. The drumbeats filled the night and the singing echoed on the wind. He loved to watch the harvest festival, when they celebrated the death of all that they had spent the year caring for, in the hope it would keep them alive through the winter. He found it hard not to laugh, but that would only draw attention.

She was the only one he wanted to be seen by tonight. When she was done dancing and feasting, he would let her see. She was the chosen one, as her mother had been years before. But neither of them knew that, he would just be a dream, haunting, but gone in the morning. The way it always was, and ever must be.

The music built to a frenzy, they were almost done. The men jumped through the fire and the women spun in dizzying circles. Catching hands, they all made one last circle and then ran to the village., breaking off to enter their homes. The elders stayed and the fire and tended all night until it was gone. He followed the chain, followed her, watched her enter her home alone. He waited until the street was quiet and went in.

She was standing at the fireplace, it was cold and empty. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. She sank back against him, trembling.

“I saw you watching me.”

“Don’t be afraid, I will be gone soon.”

“I’m not, but please, don’t go. Mother spoke of you often. Don’t leave me like you left her.”

“How…” he stiffened, that was not possible.

“You came to her, like this, before I was born. She never forgot. Told me you might come again. She said she saw glimpses of you, year after year, but no one else remembered.”

“You won’t remember either.” But he was not as sure, now.

“I’ve seen you before, I won’t forget.”

“No, Impossible…”

“Please, don’t…” But he was gone.