| Prologue |

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Darkness isn't as cold as one would expect.

Pale flesh and chapped lips, stiff muscles and the promise of an end.

Every walk of life aiming for a better tomorrow as if time were a guarantee. Something to look forward to each and every morning, a new boyfriend, a cup of coffee, accomplishing your premeditated dreams.

I feel them all slipping away.

Flakes of frosty water kiss my cheeks in answer to the screaming cries, they fend off the panic and sadness drowning otherwise silent air.

Warm heat soaks against the pavement beneath my fingers, the smell of iron bleeding into fresh chocolate and latte. Even with the substance coating my palms and drenching up my sleeves, my limbs don't respond. An otherwise miserable sensation soothing the tension.

Is she alive?

Has anyone called an ambulance?

Sweetie, look away!

A living, breathing spectacle. That's all I've become.

"Holiday!"

Wincing, I brace for the coming onslaught of questions and demands. The voice grows louder, more pained and agonizing. "Please! She's my- She's my..."

The words weren't there. He didn't have the heart to lie, didn't have the words to manufacture. He'd become a no one, just as these surrounding pedestrians.

A break in security must've let him slip through, my numb figure hoisted up into his shaking arms. Breathy sobs of anguish fill my ears. "It was... It wasn't there before, I don't know how this happened..." He rambles endlessly. "Holly, can you hear me? Please babe... Please, hear me..."

I loosen a shuttered exhale and slide my gaze up to him.

No words. I have no words for him.

There is no solace.

Losing all composure, Nathan buries his wet face in my neck and hair, holding me so tight I could burst.

"Holly..."

The ache in his voice transcends anything I've ever experienced, searing the lasting bits of my heart.

Safe numbness and the promise of rest. There is no feeling. Emotions fade and leave with nothing but a lasting warmth, the consolation prize for fighting.

Tired eyes rest along the blurring skies.

Darkness isn't as cold as I expected.

________________________

Hey everyone!

Word count total: 371

I'm participating in Open Novella's contest for 2019! You should too! I have so many friends entering and it just feels like such an open and welcoming community.

Let me know what you think below and don't forget to vote if you enjoyed!

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