Complete Collection

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Grace Priddy

Everyone I saw had orbs of color. I loved the colors: blue, brown, green, silver. I wanted, no, I needed to have all of them, all of the possible sets. Each contributor was a stranger. I plucked and scooped and placed. None of them saw it coming. It started with the two girls, patiently waiting on their food. At first, they didn’t want to help, but all it took was a push into the wall and a roll down the alleyway. I never even broke a sweat. Lapis lazuli and jade, This was the beautiful start to my vast collection. The next few were difficult, the mailman and my neighbor’s dog both gave the same whimpering cry. I found Neptunes at the supermarket, Plutos at the local church, then Jupiters in the coffee shop. When I saw my own reflection, in the window of that coffee shop, I knew what I had to do. Dazzling blue to magnetic grey, I required one more pair, and did not need to look far. Complete Collection 111111111111

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11111111111111111111T S 111111111111 Staring into my bathroom mirror, I gazed upon the emerald forest and the unforgiving sea. I observed my features, admiring the riveting colors. It was the last time. Taking a clean melon baller, the metal one from the kitchen drawer, I plunged it into my left eye. I ignored the pain as I yanked and jabbed. It burned as I lifted a serrated knife and sliced the ball from the optic nerve. The sea was gone. I sat down my tools, smiling at the bleeding hole in my head. Taking a rest on the toilet, I made eye contact with the golden moon. She watched as I tugged. She observed as I placed. She was then going to witness the end. I slowly stood, not wanting to faint from blood loss, not when I was almost there. Washing my hands with warm water from the once white porcelain sink, I took a steady breath. I picked up the melon baller, feeling sticky blood rush down, covering my shaky fingers. 111111111111111111111

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I then drove the scoop into the sclera, pulling the eye from the socket with a newfound force. After severing the nerve, it was done. I dropped the forest into isopropyl alcohol. Closing the jar, I followed the cool tiled wall to the closed wooden cabinet. I placed the forest and sea onto the top shelf. I assumed the others watched in jealousy, my new audience. Coolness ran down my face. I could only guess that it was tears, adding a salty flare to my stinging sockets. I sat on the chilly floor, in front of the jars, surrounded by darkness, taking in a deep breath of blood-scented air. 111111111111

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