[Short Story] Hurricane

[Blackdrakon30 2,943]

 

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            Grant was falling. It wasn’t a bad feeling, merely quite unsettling. The ground approached, and he was nothing.

Memories swam hazily, attempting to gain attention. He and his sister Lillia were once again dashing about a yard, laughing joyfully. The world spun more and he was at school, watching as classmates mocked and injured him after standing up for her. Another dizzying swirl. His sister was in the hospital with a terminal disease. Lillia gave a weak grin, and his world collapsed into a vortex of sadness, like a hurricane of tears. She said three last quiet words that pierced the confusion: “I love you.” As she slowly inhaled one final breath, Grant closed his eyes and his reality rotated once more. The earth hurtled towards him, and he prepared to greet it as a good friend.

       

 

 Loud clanks of pots and pans woke him up. Grant groaned and hastily arose from bed, briefly pausing before a mirror to run his hands through his messy black hair. Exiting the door, he grabbed his backpack and his computer on the way downstairs. School like any other day, and another day of dullness and stagnant thoughts. Grant plastered on a fake smile as he passed his mom, who beamed back at him. It was a mere facade to hide what was within. A glance at his watch informed him he would be late for school if he paused for a morning meal. With a sigh of disappointment, he got onto his bicycle and rode towards the school. The day was grey and gloomy, with fog as thick as his abuela’s tortilla soup. A car shot past, drenching him with filth. Grant was motionless with disbelief and then cried out a few choice swears to the injustice of the universe. His heart sank as he slowly traveled the rest of the way to school. A tardy slip was waved in his face upon entry, but it barely registered. It wasn’t something that mattered any longer. Trigonometry class was first period, and it drifted past. Grant felt numb the whole time, partly from boredom, along with additional other factors. Afterwards his teacher pulled him aside.

 

         “Grant, is there something wrong?” She asked gently.

 

         Grant shook his head mutely. The teacher sighed as Grant left. He was a concerning student, always so withdrawn and distant. The rest of the day was uneventful, merely homework and halfhearted banter with classmates. Final bell hailed the end of the day. Upon departure, the image of Lillia’s old locker made him pause. Grant rested his head against the cold metal, her last words echoing in his mind. It could not shake the deep sense of sorrow. Students leaked from the hallway and Grant eventually left. With a click, his bike was unbound and mounted. A very different route from normal was in progress. Roads blurred by, merely paths to a final destination. The grey sky had further darkened into the hue of an aged anvil, that a blacksmith is preparing to strike noisily with great gusto. He halted near the start of a bridge and began to walk his bike across. Grant stopped near the center and peered over the edge, searching for singing sirens. The horizon pulled at his sight and he spoke to the ocean.

 

        “Do you know loss?”

 

        The ocean surged quietly and whispered back. “You were always good enough. You are a beautiful thing, a masterpiece. I know loss, for the sun steals parts of me away constantly.”

The water swirled about mildly faster. Grant rested his head in his hands and muttered hoarsely.

 

       "You have never known real loss. Everything you have returns to you, but I have lost a part of my heart forever.”

 

       The waves slapped loudly against the supports below, but the ocean did not speak again. The wind discerned the sounds of hurt from afar and joined the child. She caressed him gently with her soft breeze. “This is not life. You are merely seeing the dark; soon there will be light.”

 

        Grant looked up with at the waters with dulled eyes. “Everything is dark when the things that provide light are gone.

There cannot be illumination without a lamp.”

 

        The wind blew more forcefully to gain his attention. She stirred the ocean to action and pushed the moisture from the clouds. “Lillia loved you to the very end! Your mother is searching for you as we speak! You are not alone!”

 

       Grant cried out in sadness. “Do not mention her! I miss Lillia every day, and she was one of the few people who truly loved me!” He looked up at the bleak rainy sky. “But Lillia is gone, and with her that love. I will not search for something that no longer exists.”

 

The gale intensified, attempting to dissuade. A rumble of thunder rolled across the area, and a bolt of lightning streaked across the dark heavens surrounding the bridge. The water streamed across his face, mixing with burning tears.

 

       “You cannot stop me.” Grant stood up a little straighter as the storm raged. The air was charged with intensity, as if the world felt the war taking place in one boy’s heart. Hail and rain pelted the vehicles crossing the structure. A voice clear but mighty rang out, and announced a few words.

 

“You are not alone. Look within me and see truth.”

 

       Shapes played out in the shadowy vapor, and even thicker fog rolled in to obscure the location. An occasional beam of luminescence from a car pierced the gloom. Visions flitted around the clouds, signs from the past, present, and future. A ghostly figure of his mother roamed beside him, calling out his name. People wisped past and he saw realities like a fractured mirror, distortions of what could be and is. An orb of liquid rolled down his cheek, a pearl of bitterness. Grant saw outwards through the gale with sadness touching his features. Someone older gazed upon the ocean right then, a person who had lived a lifetime in a day. The water roared like a dragon, daring him to come closer.

He stood up fully. The wind sung a fervent melody as the tempest crackled overhead. He slowly closed his eyes and stepped a bit forwards. Rain splattered  the ground as if a mighty god above was filled with misery. The world froze for a moment as the boy was a statue on the edge of existence. One more step forwards, or one motion backwards. The earth tugged Grant closer for an eternal embrace. It was alike to a dream. Memories swam hazily, attempting to gain attention. He and his sister Lillia were once again dashing about a yard, laughing joyfully. The world spun more and he was at school, watching as classmates mocked and injured him after standing up for her. Another dizzying swirl. His sister was in the hospital with a terminal disease. Lillia gave a weak grin, and his world collapsed into a vortex of sadness, like a hurricane of tears. She said three last quiet words that pierced the confusion: “I love you.” As she slowly inhaled one final breath, Grant opened his eyes and his reality was clear for once. The earth hurtled towards him, and he prepared to greet it as a good friend."

 

---

 

Suicide and Depression are very critical issues in today's society. If you or a someone you know are experiencing either of these internal conflicts, please contact help from professional services or friends. -BD30

Edited August 5, 2016 by Blackdrakon30

[VaudeVille 1,428]

Hey everyone, as tweezers said ↑, if ever you feel the need to visit a professional, please don't hesitate to do so.

[ToHoYoNTaDa 1,147]

Okay^

[mydoom.exe 5,154]

It's a beautifully created story with a great message. 10/10, well done!

Edited August 5, 2016 by mydoom.exe

[BlueDragon_tamki 3,204]

Well made! ^_^ I love the story :wub:

Just the final part got me confused. I thought I was reading the beginning again: I was fooled

Edited August 5, 2016 by BlueDragon_tamki

[anuclearbomb 220]

 

Suicide and Depression are very critical issues in today's society. If you or a someone you know are experiencing either of these internal conflicts, please contact help from professional services or friends. -BD30

 

...

well, that was a hell of a story... You should do PSAs for the government...

Edited August 6, 2016 by anuclearbomb

[Blackdrakon30 2,943]

...

well, that was a hell of a story... You should do PSAs for the government...

ahahaha lol  :D

 

Seriously though.  -_-

[anuclearbomb 220]

ahahaha lol  :D

 

Seriously though.  -_-

If you don't mind me asking, what inspired you to write this? Did you just write it on a whim or...?

[Blackdrakon30 2,943]

If you don't mind me asking, what inspired you to write this? Did you just write it on a whim or...?

Lets just say that I've had close encounters with depression and suicidal urges within my friends, acquaintances, and myself. I came to terms with my own issues but there are still so many people who hurt so much. 

[anuclearbomb 220]

Lets just say that I've had close encounters with depression and suicidal urges within my friends, acquaintances, and myself. I came to terms with my own issues but there are still so many people who hurt so much. 

very nice, helping people out around the world.

[VaudeVille 1,428]

Lets just say that I've had close encounters with depression and suicidal urges within my friends, acquaintances, and myself. I came to terms with my own issues but there are still so many people who hurt so much.

I figured that out the moment I read the story. As I said earlier, don't hesitate to visit a professional if required.

[TTK_229 1,080]

:|

[Hex 11,520]

Nice!

Edited September 9, 2017 by Blackdrakon30
/me raid post 4 fun