Story [Issue 41] Memory

[greyat 2,972]

MEMORY

 

Part 1

Part 2

 

 

January 24, 2081

 

“Good bye, Father.”

He turned around and looked earnestly into her eyes. “Goodbye.”

 

If there was one thing that life had taught him it was to say goodbye and say it early because you never knew when it would be too late.

 

There was a reason behind his bitterness.

Soon afterwards, a pair of wizened guards released him from his cell, escorting him from the facility. At the gates, one of them finally spoke.

“You’re free. Go.”

He stared blankly at them, mind working to comprehend what had happened. It had been an overcast spring day when he had been imprisoned. Now, the skies reflected the doom of a wintry day.

Striding outside the facility, he took note of the chatter of browned leaves as were swept about by an icy wind on the barren streets. It was the only noise he heard; no sounds of radio broadcasts, television announcements. No sounds of life.

Is everyone already gone? Am I, again, the last and the only?

 

He walked on. In the plaza, he finally saw a person. An aged man, sitting on a wooden bench, across from him. At other times, he would have walked away from him, but now, he turned and headed directly for him.

 

The refreshment stands were gone.

 

As he drew closer, he began to wonder, Is this a good idea? He might- No, he’s too old for that.

The old man made no response as he approached him, allowing him to sit alongside. After a long silence, the old man spoke.

“So you’re that unlucky guy, aren’t you?”

“I am.”

Another pause.

“Why do you say that, that I’m the unlucky one? I’m the one who will stay alive. You will die.”

The old man laughed, making a horrible wheezing sound.

“Haven’t you considered, will there be anyone left? Is there anyone left? No, you’re the unlucky one. You have to live with yourself, Daniel.”

The man flinched as his name was spoken. How did he know my name?

“Who are you? What are you, to say this to me?”

The old man just laughed again, got up, and started stepping away. The man got up as well, and trailed behind him.

“Why this?”

“I’m an old man, Daniel. Always have been, always will be. Just remember, you loved once.”

With that, he turned around and resumed walking. The man made to follow, but thought better of it and stopped, watching the haggard figure disappear into the sunset, leaves kicking around at his feet.

“Bye.”

 

You loved once. Loved once. Loved once.

The phrase kept cycling through his mind, stirring up turmoil, reviving old memories.

Yes I loved once but that was enough and I swore to never again do so.

Loved once.

Once.

Loved.

 

The man turned away from the setting sun, walking towards the train station which would, hopefully, take him home. As the wind beat at his back, a drop of crystal liquid arced through the air, shattering on the cold, lonely ground.

Edited July 29, 2017 by Hexed

[Darren4Turbo 4,913]

This story made me cry... :(

 

Beautifully written Greyat  :wub:

[MandolinMarc 874]

Hm, interesting. I liked the brevity of this story and the way that it started in the middle of a scene, with background context slowly trickling in. 

 

You seem to have a knack for mysterious, imaginative writing. My recommendation would be to go further with the mysterious aspect of your writing. Make your scenes even more absurd. Let your reader be even more in the dark.

 

Here's a short story by a writer who I feel has a similar style to you. Let me know what you think! 

[Daniel898 327]

Very interesting indeed. Loving how this is laying out.

 

"You have to live with yourself, Daniel.”

The man flinched as his name was spoken. How did he know my name?

ok how did he know my name.

Edited October 3, 2015 by Daniel898

[Bydo 20,128]

so true u ..u never know when it will be your last time to say I LOVE YOU to that special person or friend ..or even to give a hug..

 

life is to short enjoy what you have and treasure the people in it ..cause one day it will all be over..

 

good story

Edited October 12, 2015 by frozen_heart