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chen yuan chl oe l ee const ance l am enr i que chui di an geor gi na savage i sabel l a boyne j asmi ne savage kar i st ao kat e br adl ey kat i e eu sabr i na chan vi ct or i a ngai
enr i que chui di an kat i e eu
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organi zer i sabel l a boyne
s peci althanks dr eam f und paul mur phy shar on l am zoe zou
chi nes eedi tor vi ct or i a ngai
engl i s h edi tors geor gi na savage j asmi ne savage kar i st ao
WORKS tal kaboutl i fe f i ve past seven ir emember mi ssi ng you soup 秋 haunt i ng per haps t he cal m
tal kaboutdeath t o deat h r ow ni ght mar es t he t ape bl emi sh hour gl ass t i me of deat h cl ocks do we not
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a l li sda r ka nd r e pe t i t i v ebe e pi nge c hoe si nmyhe a d mymi ndwa nt st oge tupbutmybodys t r uggl e st oobe y Iha l f he a r t e dl ys l a m mya r m down a l li sda r ka ga i n t hebe e pi ngi sba c k t hi st i memi x e dwi t ht hes oundsof f a mi l i a rv oi c e s ,y e l l i nga tme mymi ndi sbl a nk Ic a nnott e l li fI ’ m dr e a mi ng s oIr e s pond butIdon’ tknowi fI ’ v ee v e nope ne dmymout hornot agr a s ponmya r ma nd apul lonmyha i r Idi dnotwa ntt obet or t ur e dl i ket hi s f or c i ngmye y e sope n It ur nmyhe a d t hec l oc kr e a dsf i v epa s ts e v e n t hi sa i n’ twor ki ng. Ige toutofbe d.
Shes t a r e da tt hec a nofs oups i t t i nga tt het a bl e ,t heghos toft e a r st ha tha ddr i e dl onga go f e e bl yc l i ngi ngt ohe rf a c e .Thes oupwa ski ndofs ke t c hy ,j us ts howi nguponhe rdoor s t e p t heda ybe f or e .Shewa s n' te v e ns ur ei fs he ' de v e rt r yt oope ni t ,j us tt os e ewha tki ndofs oup i twa s ,s i nc ei twa sj us tas ma l lme t a lc a nt ha tha dt hewor d" s oup"wr i t t e noni ti nSha r pi e . Ba r e l yt hr e ehour sa gos he ' dbe e ns ur r ounde dbype opl eofa l ls or t si nhe rl i f ea s ki nghe r a r e y ouoka y s ,a nds her e me mbe r e dt e l l i nghe r s e l ft ha ti fs hehe a r donemor e" Ar ey ouoka y ? " , s he ' ds t a r tt hr owi ngpunc he s .The ns hegotoutt he r e ,a si fhe l li t s e l fwa sonhe rhe e l s . I ta l mos tf e l tl i kes hewa s n' tr e a l ,l i kes hewa s n' ts uppos e dt oe x i s t ,apa r toft hewor l dt ha t j us tdi dn' tbe l ong.Shedi dn' tf e e la ny t hi ng,j us tt hi ss or t ofe mpt i ne s si ns i de ,a nde a c h pa s s i ngda ywa sa l wa y sas or t ofs ome t hi ng,whe t he ri tbee mpt i ne s sorl one l i ne s sore x i s t e nc e . Shewa sa l mos tgl a dwi t he v e r ypa s s i ngda y ,be c a us ei tbr oughthe rf ur t he ra wa yf r om t he me mor i e s ,br oke npr omi s e s ,a ndf r om f e e l i ng. Sheha t e dhowe mot i onsa l wa y sgott ohe r ,i twa sne v e rt hebul l i e sort hehe a dma s t e r sort he t he r a pi s t st ha tdi d,i twa sa l wa y she rhe a r t .Sheha t e df e e l i ng. Thec a nofs oups t a y e donhe rki t c he nt a bl e ,unmov i ng,a l mos tmoc ki nghe r .I nat wi s t e d, a bs ur dwa y ,s het hought ,e v e r ype r s onwa sl i ket hec a nofs oup,s e e mi ngl yc l e a r l yl a be l e d,but y oune v e rkne wwha twa si ns i de .Shewa sa l mos ta f r a i dt of i ndoutwha twa si ns i det hec a nof “ s oup” . Gi nge r l y ,a l mos ta si fs hewa sa f r a i di twoul de x pl ode ,s het ookt hec a nba c koutt owhe r ei t wa s ,oni t spl a c eont hedoor s t e p.Thel i qui ds wi s he da r oundi ns i de .Shes t oppe d.I ts t oppe d s wi s hi ng.Shec ont i nue dhe rc a r e f ult i pt oe i ngoutt ohe rf r ontdoor .Andt ha twa swhe ns he not i c e di t .Thepa c kofMa r l bor osl e a ni ngonhe rc ount e r . Thewor l dt i ppe ds i de wa y s ,a nds hewa sgone . " WantanM&M? "Heas ke d,r e ac hi ngi nt ohi spo c ke t . Shes t ar e dathi masi fhewasi ns ane ." DoIkno wy o u? " " Wedanc e d,o nc eupo nadr e am. " " No pe . "Shes t ar t e dt owal kaway . " Co meo n,do n' tpl aywi t hme , "hes ai d,gr abbi nghe rar m. " Okay ,j e e z !I ' l lhav eanM&M,Chr i s ! " " Aha,s oy o udokno wme . " " Um,we ' v eki ndo fl i v e dne xtt oe ac ho t he rs i nc ebi r t h. " Chr i st o o ko utapac ko fMar l bo r o s ,pr o babl ys nuc ko utf r o mhi s s i s t e r ' ss e c r e ts t as h. " He r e , "hes ai d,t aki ngo utar e do ne . Shes t ar e dathi mf o ral o ngt i me . Het ur ne dt ohe r ,l o o ki ngal i t t l eho r r i f i e d. " What ?DoI hav es o me t hi ngo nmyf ac e ? " " No , "s hes ai d,s udde nl yaf r ai dt ol o o kathi m. Shebl i nke d.Thepa c kofMa r l bor oswa ss t i l lt he r e . Se t t i ngdownt hec a nofs oup,s hepi c ke dt hec i ga r e t t epa c kupa nds hooki t .Thec l a t t e rofM&Ms s e e me dt oe c hoi nt hequi e ts pa c e .Sheope ne dt hepa c k.Da r kr e d,r ounds ha pe dc hoc ol a t e sgl owe d upa the ri nt hedi ml i ght .He s i t a nt l y ,s her e a c he di ns i det heboxa ndpi c ke doneout ,s l i ppi ngi tpa s t he rr e dpa i nt e dl i ps .Thebi t t e ra f t e r t a s t eofagoods mokegr e e t e dhe ra l ongwi t ht hes we e tt a ngof c hoc ol a t e ,j us tl i ket heol dme mor i e sdi d.
SOUP
prompt: anunl abe l e dcanofsoup, aci gare ttepackfil l e dwi thm&ms, andanunre qui te dcrush
Shes hookt heboxa ga i n,mi x i ngi t sc ont e nt si na di f f e r e ntpa t t e r n.Sur ee nough,t he ywe r ea l lr e d. As l i pofpa pe rs t uc kout ,onet ha ts he ' dne v e r not i c e dbe f or e .Wi t ht hes a mef e a ra ss hehe l d t hec a nofs oup,s hepul l e di tout . Il o v ey o u.C. Hi sboy i s h,me s s yha ndwr i t i ngwa sa l wa y sa ss he ' d r e me mbe r e di t . Thehous ewa sda r k,buts hewa ss ur et ha twa swha t t henot es a i d.
Shes hookt heboxa ga i n,mi x i ngi t sc ont e nt si nadi f f e r e ntpa t t e r n.Sur ee nough,t he ywe r ea l lr e d. As l i pofpa pe rs t uc kout ,onet ha ts he ' dne v e rnot i c e dbe f or e .Wi t ht hes a mef e a ra ss hehe l dt he c a nofs oup,s hepul l e di tout . Il o v ey o u.C. Hi sboy i s h,me s s yha ndwr i t i ngwa sa l wa y sa ss he ' dr e me mbe r e di t . Thehous ewa sda r k,buts hewa ss ur et ha twa swha tt henot es a i d. Ama t c hr e s t e dne x tt ot hes t ov e .I r oni chows hes a wi t ,r i ghta ss heha dt heMa r l bor oi nhe rha nd. He rt humbf l i c ke dt heme t a lt a ba ndt hef l a mel e a ptt ol i f e ,da nc i ngi nt heda r kne s s . He re y e sbe ga nt obl ura nds her e a l i z e ds heha ds t a r t e dc r y i nga ga i n. " St upi dt t e a r s . "He rbr e a t hs hudde r e d. Thes l i pofpa pe rl a t c he dont ot hef l a me ,a si fi twe r eme t a lt oama gne t ,a ndt hee dge sbe ga nt o c ur li na st hegl owoft hef i r ebe ga nt oc a s tf l i c ke r i ngs ha dowsi nt hedi mr oom.As he st oa s he s ‌ Thegr a ypowde rf e l ll i kes now,a nds hepi nc he dt hes ma l lf l a me s ,l e t t i ngi tgoout .Thebur nf r om t hef i r ewa same r es t i ng.He rwhol ebodyha dbe e nnumbf orda y s ,i tha dbe e ns os i nc es heha d s t oppe df e e l i ng.Ha di tr e a l l ybe e na sl onga sawe e k?Ha di tr e a l l ybe e ns e v e nf ul lda y ss i nc et he n? I twa sha r df orhe rt oc ompr e he nd. Thepa c kofMa r l bor oss a tc ont e nt e dl yont hec ount e r ;a sdi dt heunl a be l e dc a nofs oup. " I ' ms or r y ,Iwi s hIdi dn' tha v et os a yt hi s ,butIdon' tc a r ea bouty out hewa yIus e dt o, " Howha dhes a i dt ha ts oe f f or t l e s s l y ?Sohe a r t l e s s l y ? Li ea f t e rl i eha dr ol l e dof fhi st onguef r om t hec r a c kl yv oi c ema i lt ha tha dpul l e dt he i rr ol l e r c oa s t e r r i det oas t op.Sheha t e dt hef e e l i ngofpa t he t i c ne s s ,y e the r es hewa s ,pi ni nga f t e raboywhowoul d ne v e rgr owup. Andt he r ewa sal oudc r a s ht ha ts hoc ke dhe ri nt or e a l i t y ,t heM&Mss pi l l i ngoutoft hef a l l e n Ma r l bor opa c ke t . Thet e a r sc a mea ga i n,i nt or r e nt s ,a nds hel a ughe da the r s e l ff orbe i ngs os t upi d,c r y i ngov e ra pa c kofMa r l bor osa ndac ons t e l l a t i onofr e dM&Ms . " God,I ' m ame s s , "s hewhi s pe r e di nt ot hequi e tda r kne s s ,t r y i ngt os ubduehe rhi c c upsa ss he s c r a pe de a c hc hoc ol a t eba c ki nt ot hebox . Wi t ht hes oupba c konhe rdoor s t e pa ndt heMa r l bor oboxc a r e l e s s l yt hr owni nt ot hedumps t e r ne x tt ohe ra pa r t me nt ,s het uc ke dhe r s e l fi nonhe rc ouc ha ndf e l li nt oadr e a ml e s ss l e e p. Sheha dl e f tanot eont hef r ontofhe rdoor s t e p,wi t ht hec a nofs oupa sapa pe r we i ght . Shedi dn' tc a r et ha the rs wa r msoff a mi l ya ndf r i e ndswoul dbef a wni ngov e rwhe ns hec a meba c k, i fs hec a meba c k,ort ha the rphonewoul dbebur s t i ngwi t huna ns we r e dc a l l sa ndunr e a dme s s a ge s a ndv oi c e ma i l st ha twe r ene v e rhe a r di fs het ur ne di tba c kon. Ont henot e ,i nSha r pi e ,s heha dwr i t t e n:i ' mo f ft of i ndane wc ano fs o up.
HAUNTI NG p erhap s y oupr omi s e dmei twoul dn’ t c omet ot hi s , y out ol dmet hi st i me y ouc a r e d. howdi dinotnot i c e t hequi c kpa c eofy our he a r t t heda r t i ngofy our e y e s t hequi v e r i ngofy our l i ps ; t het hr e et hi ngsif e l li nl ov ewi t h. ibe ty oukne wa l la l ong ne v e rbr e a t hi ngawor d t oas oul a ndt ha t ’ swha thur t st hemos t : t ha ty ouc a n’ tt r us tme . if a l la s l e e pt oha unt i ngpe r ha ps a ndunknownr e a l i t i e s , wa ki ngt ot e a rs t a i ne ds he e t s , myha ndsi nf i s t s t a unt e dbyt hev oi c e sofpe opl ewho ne v e rr e a l l yc a r e d.
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t he ys a ys he ’ sl i ket her a i n, a si ff l oodi ngi sbe a ut i f ul . s hehope ss he ’ snot t hehur r i c a net he yna me d a f t e ra not he rwoma n, buti ns i des heknows t ha ts hei st hede s t r oy e r . a tni ghtt he ymur mur ofhows hene e ds , akni ghti ns hi ni nga r mour , s hei snotada ms e li ndi s t r e s s , s hedr e a mss hei st hedr a gon. s heknowss he ’ snot af a i r y t a l e ,butt he yma kehe r i nt oar oma nc enov e l . s hec a nnot , bewr i t t e nbyt hewor l d whe ns he ’ st e l l i nghe r ownda mns t or y .
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“ Fo undgui l t yo fmans l aught e r ,ge no c i de ,ar s o n,and5o t he rmi no ro f f e nc e s .Char ge dwi t ht he pe nal t yo fde at h. ” Theknoc kofwooda ga i ns twoods ounde dl i keguns hott hr ought hec our t r oom. Hes t ood,s we a tpool i ngi nt hepa l msofhi sha nds ,hi she a r tpoundi ngat a t t ooi nhi sc he s t t ha t hec oul dhe a rbe t we e nhi se a r s .Hi sf a c ewa ss e ti nama dgr i n,bl a c kha i rc r oppe ds hor t , as t udt wi nkl i ngonhi snos e .Hi sbr i ghtor a ngej umps ui thungl oos e l yof fhi ss l i ghtf r a me ,t hi n, l ongf i nge r sc l e nc he di nt ot i ght ,s ha ki ngf i s t s .Hewa sy oung,l ooke df r e s houtofuni ,buthi s pi e r c i ngbl uee y e sha dac r a z e dl ookt ot he m.Hewa l ke ds l owl y ,butunhe s i t a t i ngl yt owa r da n i mpa s s i v ef a c e ,whe r ehes t oodi nt hec e nt r eofawhi t er oom.Hel ooke dt owa r dt hemi r r ort ohi s r i ghta nds t uc khi st ongueout ,t hes i l v e rba l lont het i pofhi st onguewi nki ngi nt hebr i ghtl i ght . As pe a ke rc r a c kl e dt ol i f e ,a ndamonot onev oi c es t a r t e ds pe a ki ng.They oungma nf i ddl e dwi t hhi s r e s t r a i nt s ,a nds hi f t e ds l i ght l y ,c ha i nsc l i nki nga shemov e d.Thes pe a ki ngs t oppe d,a nds odi dt he ma n’ sma ni cgr i n.Agunc l i c ke d.Hec oul dhi sbr e a t hpuf f i ngi na ndoutt hr oughhi smout h.Hi s e y e ss hutt i ght ,buthi sbodys t a y e dr e l a x e d.Af i nge rt wi t c he d.Ama n’ sl i f egone-t hel i f egoi ng f r om hi se y e sa st hebl oodwe tt hef l oora nds t a i ne dt heonc eor a ngej umps ui tade e p,r us t y ,r e d.
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Ev e rs i nc eweha dhe a r da boutt hes t or yofLy di aba c ki nl a t eApr i l ,t heboy sha dbe e nt r e a t i ng e v e r y t hi nga saj oke .Nowt ha ti twa st i mef ort hey e a r l yba c kt os c hoolda nc e ,t he ywe r ee v e n r owdi e rt ha nus ua l .Ev e r y t hi ngwa sj us tabi g,f a tj oke .Tha twa swha tIt houghta sIl a yi nmybe d, t hes oundofmys i s t e r ’ sc l oc kt i c ki ng,t i c kt oc k,t i c kt oc k,ge t t i ngl oude ra ndl oude r .I tj us t woul dn’ ts t op. Ir e me mbe r e dt ha tIha dbe e nc a l l e di nt ot heof f i c e .Ont hewa y ,Is a wahugec r owdofgi r l s gos s i pi nga bouts ome t hi ngort heot he r ,buti tne v e rr e a l l yme a nta ny t hi ngt omeunt i lIs a wt he t a pe s .Mr s .Suns hi newa se x a c t l yt heoppos i t eofwha the rna mei ns i nua t e d,s hewa sc ons t a nt l y pr owl i ngt heha l l st ogi v es ome oneade t e nt i on.Wea l lt houghtt ha ti twa sac ompl e t emi r a c l et ha t s ome onet houghti twa sagoodi de at ogoa ndma r r yhe r . So,s e e i nghe rs ol e mnf a c ewhe nIwa l ke di nwa s n’ tac ompl e t es ur pr i s e .I twa sonl ywhe ns heput he rha ndonmys houl de rwi t houtawor d,a ndl e dmei nt ot het a per oom t ha tIr e a l i s e ds ome t hi ng mus tbewr ong.Noonee v e rwe nti nt ot het a per oom,a ndIha dne v e rs e e na ny onec omeout . The ys a yt ha tt hev i de oc a me r a sa r eha unt e d,t ha tt he ywe r ehe r ewhe nt hes c hoolwa sf i r s tbui l t– a ndt ha tnoma t t e rwha t ,t hec a me r a ss e ee v e r y t hi ng.The r eha donl ye v e rbe e nt wogua r ds wa t c hi ngt het a pe s .Ther oom ha dmor emoni t or st ha nIha de v e rs e e n.I twa sagi a ntpa nor a maof s c r e e ns ,bl ur r ybl a c ka ndwhi t ec l i pst ha te mi t t e dc r a c kl i ngs ounds .The r ewa sones c r e e nt ha tt he t wogua r dswe r ebot hga t he r e da r ound,s houl de r shunc he d. “ Ma r i a m, ”Is hudde r e da tt hes oundofMr s .Suns hi ne ’ sv oi c egr ov e l l i ngi nhe re a r ,t hes t r ong s me l lofhe rc of f e ebr e a t hf l oa t i ngi nt hea i r .“ It hi nkt ha ty ouwoul dl i ket ot a keal ooka tt he t a pe . ”Wi t ht hos ewor ds ,t hegua r dspus he dt he ms e l v e sa wa yf r om t he i rde s k,t hewhe e l sont he bot t om oft he i rc ha i r sr ol l i ng.Igl a nc e da tt he m,nooneha de v e rs e e nt he i rf a c e sbe f or e .Iha dt o t a ket heoppor t uni t y . Oneoft he m,t het a l l e rone ,ha das e toft a t t oosr unni ngdownf r om hi sc hi nt ot het opofhi sc he s t , ama z eofs pi de rwe bsa ndwor dst ha tdi dn’ tma kea nys e ns et ome .Theot he rgua r dha da ne y e pa t c ht ha tba r e l yc ov e r e dat hi c kpi nks c a r .The ys t oodi ns i l e nc e ,s t i l lhunc he dov e re v e nwhe n t he ywe r es t a ndi ngup.If l i nc he da wa ywhe nt het a l l e ronegl a nc e dov e ra tme .
Themoni t ort ha tt he yha dbe e nl ooki nga twa sa tac ompl e t es t a nds t i l l .Thepa us es y mbolhov e r e d i nt het opr i ghtc or ne roft hemoni t or ,i tc ov e r e daf a c eofape r s onwhowa ss t a ndi nga tt het opof t hes t a i r c a s eout s i deoft hec a f e t e r i a .Thes hor t e roft het wogua r dswor dl e s s l ypr e s s e dpl a y ,a ndI he a r dt hes oundofMr s .Suns hi nedr a wi ngi nade e pbr e a t h. Thepa us eont hes c r e e ndi s a ppe a r e d,a ndi ndoi ngs or e v e a l e dLy di a .Igr i ma c e dwhe nIs a whe r , wonde r i ngwha tLy di aha ddonenow.Iwa sl uc ky ,Iwa st hegoodc hi l d;Ly di awa sa l wa y st heone ge t t i ngi nt r oubl e ,t heone st ha tmypa r e nt sha dt oma kear e a le f f or twi t h.Ev e nwhe nwewe r e ki ds ,t he r ewoul dber e por t sofhe rus i nghe rne wl yl e a r ntt a e kwondos ki l l sons omepoorki di n t hes a ndbox . Luc kyf orLy di a ,s hewa ss ma r t .Noma t t e rwha ts hedi d,s hewoul da l wa y sma na get owe a s e lhe r wa youtofi t .Sheha dne v e rma na ge dt obeki c ke doutofs c hool ,Iwa spr e t t ys ur et ha ts hebr ought upt hea v e r a geGPAoft hee nt i r es c hool .Is a wt het i me sf l i c ke ra tt hebot t om oft hes c r e e nr i s i ng upa ndup,ma ki ngmye y e sf l i c kba c ka ndf or t hbe t we e nLy di a ’ sf a c ea ndt her i s i ngnumbe r s . Whe ni tr e a c he d01 : 1 1 : 2 7 : 06a not he rf i gur ee nt e r e dt hes c r e e n.Is mi l e d. Ki l l i a nha da l wa y sbe e nt heonet ohol dLy di adown.Whe ns hewa sgoi nga bs ol ut e l yme nt a l , Ki l l i a nHunt i ngt onne v e rf a i l e dt obr i nghe rba c kdownt oEa r t ha ndge the routoft r oubl e ,a t l e a s thet r i e dt omos toft het i me .Thet wooft he ms t a r t e dc ha t t i nga ndIwonde r e dwha tt he pr obl e mc oul dpos s i bl ybe .Ma y bet he r eha dbe e na ni s s uewi t hPDA,e v e r y onee x c e ptLy di a( who wa sc ompl e t e l yobl i v i ous )kne wt ha tKi l l i a nwa spr a c t i c a l l yi nl ov ewi t hhe r .I twa st he nt ha tt he s ounds y s t e m ki c ke don. “ Ly di a ,I ’ v ewa nt e dt oa s ky ous ome t hi ngf ort hepa s tf e wwe e ksnowa ndI ’ v ene v e rknownqui t e howt oa s ki t , ”Ki l l i a n’ sv oi c ec r a c kl e dt hr ought hes pe a ke r sa ndIhe l dmybr e a t hi ne x c i t e me nt . Thi swa si t ,t hemome ntt ha te v e r y one( myf a mi l y ,Ki l l i a n’ sf a mi l ya ndpr a c t i c a l l yt hee nt i r e s t ude ntbody )ha dbe e nwa i t i ngf or .Het ookade e pbr e a t ha sLy di anodde d.“ Wi l ly ougot opr om wi t hme ? ”Iha dahugea mountofdi f f i c ul t ynots que a l i ngwhe nt hewor dsl e f thi smout h. Ia nx i ous l ywa i t e df orLy di a ’ sr e s pons e ,l i ket hi swa ss omes howont e l e v i s i on.Is houl dha v e knownbe t t e r ,r e a ll i f edoe s n’ te ndwi t hha ppi l ye v e ra f t e r . Ly di af r owne da nds hookhe rhe a d.“ I ’ ms os or r yKi l ,Ia l r e a dyt ol dJ a c kt ha tIwoul dgowi t hhi m. Hea s ke dmeaf e wda y sa go. ”Ki l l i a nt ur ne da wa y ,hi sf a c e s udde nl y hi dde nf r om t hec ha r a c t e ra sLy di as t e ppe dt owa r dshi m.Whe n het ur ne dba c k,a l lIs a wwe r ehi se y e s .Ki l l i a nha dbr own e y e st ha tl ooke de x a c t l yl i keme l t e dc hoc ol a t e , buti n t ha tmome nt ,t he yl ooke da l mos tbl a c k. “ Howc oul dy ous a yy e st os ome onee l s e ? ”he gr owl e d,s t a t i cc omi ngoutf r om t hes pe a ke r s a l ongwi t hhi swor ds .Thet i mes a i d01 : 1 8: 4 2 : 98. Ly di aope ne dhe rmout ht opr ot e s t ,but Ki l l i a npus he dhe ra ga i ns tt hewa l lbe f or es he c oul ds a ya ny t hi ng.“ Youknowt ha tI ’ v el i ke d y ouf ora ge s ,e v e r y onekne w.Howc oul dy ou dot hi st ome ? ” .Hi sha ndswe r er e a c hi ng t owa r dshe rt hr oa t ,butLy di apus he dhi m a wa ya ss hes t r uggl e dt of i ghta ga i ns thi s gr i p.Ly di aha dt a ke nbox i ngc l a s s e sf or s e v e ny e a r s ,butKi l l i a nwa sa l mos taf oot t a l l e rt ha nhe r .
“ Ki l ,I ’ ms or r y .Pl e a s el e tgoofme ” ,Ly di aga s pe da sKi l l i a n’ sha ndr oughl ygr a bbe dhe rhi p. “ Ki l ,pl e a s e ” .Hi sr i ghtha ndmov e dupt oc ov e rhe rmout h.Shes t r uggl e da ga i ns thi sgr i pa she c ont i nue dt oi nt e r r oga t ehe r .Hi sot he rha ndmov e dt oo,i tbr us he da ga i ns the rt hr oa ta ndIc oul d s e eLy di a ’ se y e sf i l lwi t hf e a r ,al ookt ha tIha dn’ ts e e nonhe rs i nc es hea l mos tf e l loutofourt r e e hous ewhe ns hewa sni ne . “ Whydoe shege tt oha v ey ou?Wa sInotgoode noughf ory ou,Ly di a ? ”Ic oul ds e eLy di a ’ smout h c l e nc hi ngov e rKi l l i a n’ sha nd,buthes e e me dnott of e e la ny t hi ng.Iwonde r e di fs hewa sbi t i ng ha r de noughf orhi mt obl e e d.I twa sonl ywhe nt her oom s t a r t e ds pi nni ngt ha tIr e a l i s e dt ha tI ha df or got t e nt obr e a t he ,a ndt ha tmys i s t e rwa sbe i nga t t a c ke d,a ndt hi swa sf ourhour sa go,a nd Iha dn’ ts e e nhe rs i nc et hi smor ni ng. Ki l l i a nmov e dhi sha nda wa yf r om he rt hr oa tf oras pl i ts e c ondt ot uc kLy di a ’ sha i rbe hi ndhe r e a r s .“ Il ov ey ouLy di a ,a ndIknowt ha ty oul ov eme . ”Ly di at ookt ha toppor t uni t yt opunc hhi m di r e c t l yi nt henos e ,a ndIkne wbyt hewi nc eonhe rf a c et ha ts heha dnotpunc he dc or r e c t l ya t a l l ,a ndt ha the rknuc kl e swoul dbr ui s e .Ami s t a ket ha tLy di aof t e nma dewhe ns hewa s n’ ti nt he r i ng,noma t t e rhowmuc ht r a i ni ngs heha d.“ OhLy ds ,don’ tbel i ket ha t . ” Iwa nt e dt os c r e a m wa t c hout ,buti twa st ool a t e .Be f or eIc oul dc ompr e he ndqui t ewha twa s ha ppe ni ng,Ly di awa sa tt hebot t om oft hes t a i r s ,unmov i ng.He re y e swe r ewi deope na ndI f l i nc he da wa yf r om t hel ooki nt he m.He rbody ,pa r a l y s e d,l a yt he r ea sKi l l i a nma dehi swa yov e r . Hes t r oke dhe rf a c ege nt l y ,a ndIwa nt e dt opus hhi sha nda wa y .ButIma ya swe l lha v ebe e n Ly di abe c a us eIc oul dn’ tmov ea ni nc h. “ Ly ds ,Il ov ey ous omuc h.Iknowy oul ov emet oo. ”The nhel e a ntdowna ndc a pt ur e dhe rl i ps i nhi sbe f or es t a ndi ngupa ndwa l ki nga wa y ,hi sbodys l owl ymov i ngoutoft hef r a me .Thet i me s a i d01 : 34 : 4 5 : 67 .Andi tj us tke ptt i c ki ng,t i c kt oc k,t i c kt oc k. Nowi twa smyt ur n.Mydr e s ss wi s he da ga i ns tt heba c kofmyt hi ghsa sIe x i t e dt he ba c kt os c hool da nc e .Ihope dt ha tKi l l i a nwa sr e a dyt of e e lt hel ov el i keLy di adi d.
bl e mi sh a tni ghtwhe nt hede monsc omet oha unt , iwr i t eal i s ti nmyhe a dofa l lt her e a s onswhy pe opl eha t eme . i thur t st oknowt ha tt hede mons wa t c hmedr owni ngi ns e l fpi t y , ba r e l ybr e a t hi ng, c r y i ng, dy i ng. a ndiwa keupt ot e a rs t a i ne ds he e t s , myf i s t si nba l l s a ndt hev oi c e sofpe opl ewhone v e rr e a l l yc a r e d.
Doy ouknowt ha ty ourwor l dwa sa gi ga nt i chour gl a s s ?Sur e l y ,a f t e rr e a di ng t heFa ul ti nOurSt a r s ,y oumi ghtha v e s omec l os ur eont hewhol e“ de a t ht hi ng” . Orpe r ha psy ouwe r ej us tt oof oc us e don t hel ov es t or y ;i ts e e msl i ket ha t ’ st heonl y t hi ngt ha tge t spe opl et or e a di ta ny wa y .I f i ndi ta mus i ng;i fAugus t usa ndHa z e l we r enoti nl ov e ,woul dy oue v e npi c kup t hebook? Se e ?Tha t ’ st het hi ng.Nobodywa nt st or e a da boutde a t hbe c a us ei ti sde pr e s s i ng.The“ Wha t ha ppe nsa f t e ry oudi e ? ”que s t i oni st ooga r ga nt ua nf ory out owr a py ourhe a da r ound?We l l ,I ’ m s he r et ogi v ey ouahe a dsup: Onc es ome oney ougi v eada mna bout ,wa l ksoutt hedoor sofl i f e -y ou’ l lt hi nka bouti tpl e nt y Mygr a ndmot he rpa s s e da wa yaf e wwe e ksa go. Ofc our s ewhe nIf i r s tf oundout ,Iwa sa bs ol ut e l ys t unne d.Ie mba r ke dont hequi nt e s s e nt i a l t r a i nj our ne yofde pr e s s i on.Iwe ntt hr ought het y pi c a l i t yofnotknowi ngwha tt ot hi nk;not be i nga bl et odi ge s tt ha twhol et hi ng.The nt het i da lwa v e sofpa i nc a me .I na ndout ,i na nout , s c r e a mi ngi nt opi l l owsa ndwonde r i ng" WHY?WHY?WHY! "I ' ds pe ndda y si nmyr oom c r y i ng a ndba wl i ngmye y e sout . You' de x pe c tal otoft e a r s ,a ndt he r ewe r e ,f orawhi l e .Buta f t e rawhi l ey ouj us tdr yout .And y ouf e e ll i ket hel i f eha sbe e nl e a c he doutofy ou.Butt he ny ous e t t l edown.Andi ns t e a dof be a t i ngupy our s e l fa bouti t ,y oude c i det obl a met hewor ksoft hewor l df ory ourl os sa nd be c omec y ni c a l ,a ndbi t t e r .Whi c hi st hes t a t i onI ' v enowa r r i v e da t . We ' da l lknowns hewa sol da nda l l .She ' de v e nt ol dusont hephoneonc et ha ts heha dwr i t t e n awi l l :" Nott owor r yde a r ,i t ' sonl yj us ti nc a s es ome t hi ngha ppe ns .Gr a nnyi sge t t i ngol d,y ou know. "Sheha ds a i di nhe rr i c hBr i t i s ha c c e nt . Ic r i e dt ha tda y .The nImov e dona ndde c i de dt ha tde a t hi sc ompl e t e l yi ne v i t a bl e .I ti st obe e x pe c t e d.Andoneda y ,mot he ri sgoi ngt opa s s ,a nde v e nt ua l l y ,Iwi l lpa s st oo. I ma gi ni ngi tj us tma demec r ye v e nmor e .Ye te v e na f t e ra l lt ha t ,not hi ngc oul dpr e pa r emef or t hede a t hofs ome one . Af t e rt ha tIde c i de dt opul lphot osout .Phot osofhe r :phot os ofgr a nnyi nhe rt hi r t i e s ,phot osofgr a nnyt hel a s tt i mewe s a we a c hot he r .I ' dc a l lhe rol df a s hi onphonea ndl i s t e nt o he rv oi c e ma i la ndc r ye v e nmor e .Noonewi l le v e ra ns we r t ha ta ny mor e .Ic a l l e di tov e ra ndov e ra ga i nt ohe a rhe r v oi c e .J us tbe c a us eIkne wt ha ts ome onewoul de v e nt ua l l y de l e t et henumbe r .Andgr a nnywoul dbenot hi ngl e f tbut me mor i e sa ndphot ogr a phs . Idon' tknowwhyIdi dt ha t .Onemi ghtt hi nkt ha tIha d gonec r a z ybutIha dpe r f e c t l yl ogi c a lr e a s ons :If e l tgui l t yt o notbet hi nki nga bouthe ra l lt het i me .If e l tl i kei tne e de dt o mour n.Toge ti ta l loutofme ?Orpe r ha psbe c a us eIf e l tI owe di tt ohe r . Af t e ra l l ,I t ' sha r dt ot hi nkt ha ts ome onec a nbe c ompl e t e l yj us t . . . . . . gone .
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Thewor l dwon' tr e me mbe rhe r .Iwi l l ,buti t ' sf r us t r a t e dmet ha tt hewor l dwon' t .It a keal ooka t t hepopul a t i ongr owi ngonl i ne .I t ' sj us tagi a ntc l oc k.Thenumbe rgr owsl a r ge rc ont i nuous l ywi t h t hes a mei nt e r v a l ,t hewa yi t ' spr ogr a mme dt o.Iha t ei t .Asonepe r s onl e a v e st hewor l d,a not he r r e pl a c e si ti nas na p;whi l s ty oudwe l lont hel os st her e s toft hewor l dmov e son. Andt hef a c tt ha toneda yIwi l lmov eonf r om myl os si sj us ta si ne v i t a bl ea st hef a c tt ha tIwi l lone da ypa s sa wa y ,whys houl dn' tIj us tmov eonnow?Whyc a n' tIj us tmov eonenow? He r e ' sa na ns we r :mywor l di sa nhour gl a s sa nds oi sy our s .Iwi s ht hene c ki ni t smi ddl ec oul d e x pa nds oIc a ns ki pt hepa r t sofl i f eIdon' tl i kewhe nIr e a c ht he m.AndIwi s hIc oul dj a mt he ne c kwhe nIr e a c hamome ntIwa ntt os t a yi n.Butt her e a l i t yofmyhour gl a s s ,ort her e a l i t yoft he wor l di st ha tIc a n' t . Ther e a l i t yoft hewor l di st ha ty ouwi l lr e a dt hi sa ndt hi nk:Da mn!Tha t ' sde pr e s s i ng.It r ul ya m s or r yf orhe rl os s .The na sy ouc ont i nueonwi t hy ourl i f ea ndy ourhour gl a s sc ont i nue st of l ow,5 mi nut e sl a t e r ,y ou' l lbega t he r e da r oundt hes c hoole nt r a nc e ,c ha t t i ngwi t ha l ly ourf r i e nds .My wor dsl ongf or got t e ni nt her e c e s s e sofy ourc ons c i ous .
Wor s et ha ns t i c ks ,s t one sa ndpunc hi ngbl ows Ar et het ongue sa ndv oi c e sf r om whi c hl i e sf l ow Pa i ntony ourc a nv a swi t hbl ooda nds ha dow Af a c ef ory our s e l ft ha ts a y st ha tot he r ss houl df ol l ow Andwhe ny oua r edonet hr owt he mi nt oy ourpi l e Andl e e ra tt hene x t ,be hi ndy ourCr i ms ons mi l e Li pst ha ts pi l lf a l s e hoodwi t hnot hi ngbuts t y l e Hi det hewor s tki ndsofwor dst a s t i ngbi t t e rl i kebi l e Dowenothol de noughki ndne s si nourhe a r t s Toa tl e a s tpl a yt het r ut hf ulpa r t s I napl a yofourownc r e a t i on TheKi ngsofourownna t i on. Dowenotha v et hec our t e s ya ndt het i me Todr opt hef a c a dea nds t opt hemi me Tos howwhowea r e Ar ewer e a l l yt ha tf a r Awa yf r om wha twewe r e Be f or et hes mi l e sa ndbe f or et hes i n Be f or ewet r us t e dj us tt hec l os e s tofki n Be f or et hef e a ra ndbe f or et hes pi e s Be f or et hes ne e r sbe hi ndy ourgui s e Wewe r edi f f e r e ntonc e ,y ouknow Be f or et het e a r sa ndbe f or et hebl ows Soc omeone ,c omea l la ndhe a rmypl e a Wha twewe r eonc ei swha twemus tbe Thega mei sov e r ,t hec a r dsha v ebe e nde a l t Nowi st het i mef orf or gi v e ne s st obef e l t
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Thel i ght sf l i c ke r e dge nt l y ,a l mos ti napa t t e r n.On,on,of f ,on,on,of f ,on,on,of f-but t he nDe a t hwoul dma keami s t a kea ndt hel i ghtwoul ds t a yonf ort ool onga ndLi f e woul dwi nt hebe ta ga i n.Theba l l r oom wa se e r i l ye mpt y ,ort ha twa showi twoul d a ppe a rt ot hec l e a ne r swhogl a nc e di n,t he i re y e sda r t i ngba c ka ndf or t hf orghos t sor t hi e v e sgr a s pi ngf ort hes i l v e r wa r e .Be t we e nLi f ea ndDe a t h,a na nnua lha r s hba t t l eof whowoul dt a kec ont r ol .Li f es na ke dhe rwa yt hr ought i mea ndt i mea ga i n.He rf l a me s f l i c ke r i nga bov et heEa r t h,c r us hi ngDe a t hi nhi sf i ghtt owa r dst hewor l d. Shec oul dnotbee v e r y whe r e ,he ra r msc oul dnotqui t ewr a pa r oundt heEa r t h.I twa s t he nt ha tDe a t hs woope di n,a ndt hes kybe c a meda r k,t hec l oudsbe ga nt oc r y .Li f ef e l tt he pa i nwi t hi nhe rhe a r t ,buts hekne wt ha tDe a t hwoul df e e li tmor e .De a t hdi dnotof t e nc ome t ohe rwi ndow,butwhe nhedi d,hi sc r i e sofs or r owwoul df i l lhe rf r e s hs nowha l l sa ndt he howl swoul dha unthe r .The ybot hkne wt ha thec oul dne v e re nt e r ,buts hewoul dr e a c hhi m, s t r okehi sf a c ege nt l yunt i lt hel i ght ni ngdr e whi ma wa y .The n,t he r ewoul dbequi e t . I ts e e me dt ha tLi f ea ndDe a t hwoul dne v e rs pe a koft he s ee v e nt s ,a l t houghe a c honec oul d bepi c t ur e dqui t equi c kl y .I nt het wi l i ght ,f e wwor dswoul de v e rbepa s s e dbe t we e nt het wo oft he m.I twa sonl yi ne v e nt sl i ket oda y ,whe r et heda y swe r ec ha ngi ng,s l owl ybuts ur e l y whi l s tt hewor l dwa sc ount i ngdown.Ones t e pf or wa r d,aba t t l ebe t we e nl i ghta ndda r kne s s whe nones t e pf or wa r dme a ntones t e pc l os e r ,a ndbot hLi f ea ndDe a t he v e r y da ywoul da s k t he ms e l v e s‘ t owha t ? ’ . Of f .Thel i ght ss t a y e dof ff oras e c ond,t he nt wo,t he nt hr e e .De a t ht houghtj us tf ort ha t mome ntt ha theha dwon.Tha thec oul dc l oa kt hewor l di nda r kne s s .Thev i c t or yc r ywa s c r a wl i nguphi st hr oa t .On.I ts t a y e dona sDe a t hc r e e pe dba c kt ot hes ha dowsa ndc r umpl e d i nt ohi ms e l f ,hi sf or ms udde nl ys ma l l .Sos ma l l .I tr e mi nde dLi f eofwha ti twa sl i ke ,be f or e t hi s ,be f or ea nyofi t .Whe ns heha dbe e noneoft he m,t hos ehuma ns .Shewa sne v e rme a nt t obeoneoft he m.De a t hbr oughtba c kt oomuc h,t ooma nyme mor i e sofa not he rhi mf r om l onga go.Hewa sj us taboy ,whe ns hewa sj us tagi r la nda l ls hee v e rc oul dr e me mbe rofhi m wa sf l a me .Fi r ea ndf l a met ha tf l i c ke r e dne x tt ohe rwhe ns hewa sont hebr i nkofl e t t i ngt he l i ghts t a yof f . “ De a t h” ,Li f ewhi s pe r e dt ohi mi nt hei l l umi na t i ngr oom,nol onge rne e di ngt oc onc e nt r a t e ont hel i ghtwhe nheha dwi t hdr a wn.De a t hga v eoutawhi mpe rt ha tbounc e dof foft he wa l l sa nds e ntLi f et r e mbl i ng.St i l ls hewa l ke dont owa r dshi sda r kne s s ,r e a dyt obee ngul f e d byi t .The s ehuma nsof t e nc onf us e dLi f ea ndDe a t hwi t hHe a v e na ndHe l l .Bot hwe r e c ont r ol l e dbyDe a t h,hi sc l os e s ts e r v a nt s .Ne i t he rwoul dbei nl i ghta nda nge l sa st hos e huma nss a i d.He a v e na ndHe l lj us twe r e . Li f ewa ss ur r ounde dbyt heda r kne s sa ndy e t ,c ont i nue dt owa l k,bl i nde d,a sDe a t hmus tbe , s hr oude dbyhe rl i ght .Wha tapa i rt het wooft he m we r e ,s odi f f e r e ntt ha ti thur tt he mt obe ne a re a c hot he r .Ne v e r t he l e s s ,t he ywe r et oge t he rnow,c l os ee nought ot ouc hwi t houte i t he r oft he i ra r mss t r e t c hi ng.The ys t ooda l mos ta shuma nsdi d.Li f enudge dt owa r dsDe a t ha bot t l es heha df ounde a r l i e r .The ybot hkne wt ha ti twoul dnota f f e c tt he ma si ta f f e c t e d huma ns .Butt het houghts t i l ll i nge r e dt he r e .Tha tma y bet hi sl i qui dt he yc a l l e da l c ohol woul ddi m he rl i ghta ndi l l umi na t ehi sda r kne s s .
I tha da l wa y sbe e nas ubj e c tofc ur i os i t yf orhe r ,huma ns .Shekne wt ha the ra ndDe a t h, t he yha dbot hbe e nhuma nma ny ,ma nyy e a r sa go.Mor et ha nt e nt hous a ndy e a r s ,a ndLi f e a ndDe a t hnol onge rr e me mbe rt het a s t eofl ov eort hes i ghtofha ppi ne s s .Butt he yc oul d f e e lpa i n.Tha twa swha tr e ma i ne dwi t ht he m.Hor r i bl ef l a s he sofme mor i e st ha twe r ewor s e t ha nnome mor i e sa ta l lbe c a us et het wooft he m kne wt ha tt he ywoul dne v e rc omeba c k. Me mor i e st ha twoul df l oa ta wa yj us ta squi c kl ya st he yc a me ,ne v e rge t t i ngt os e ehi sf a c eor he rf a c eora nyoft he i rf a c e s .Lov eha dbe e nl os tl onga go. Ye thuma nsc ont i nue dt ol ov ea st he ydo.‘ Lov eLi f e ’t he ywoul ds a y ,‘ YouOnl yLi v eOnc e ’ wa swha ts heha dhe a r dt hi sge ne r a t i one mi t ,nots odi f f e r e ntf r om t heone sbe f or et he m. Shewoul dhe a rt he m pl e a di ng,be ggi ngf orDe a t ht ol e a v ea st hec l ungont oLi f ea nd s ome hows hec oul dn’ tke e pi ns i det he i rgr a s p,nota l loft he m.Someoft he mc oul dn’ thol d ont i ghte nougha ndnoma t t e rhowha r ds het r i e dt ot e l lt he m,t he r ewe r eonl ye mpt ys obs i nr e t ur n.De a t hwoul dt a ket he ma ndt he ywoul dbot hr e t i r eunt i lt hene x tv i c t i m wa sf ound. Ma y bet hi st i meaba by ,whoLi f ewoul dnur t ur ea ndt e ndt o,hopi ngt ha tDe a t hwoul dn’ t s woopi ne a r l ya ga i na ndgr a bt hi sc hi l df ora l li twa swor t h.The nt he r ewe r et heot he rt i me s . Ti me sl i ket he s ewhe ni twa ss ome onee l s e ’ sdut yf ort het i mebe gi n.He a v e na ndHe l lwoul d wor kf orDe a t h,Li f e ’ sf ol l owe r sc a mea ndwe nta st he ypl e a s e d.The nLi f ea ndDe a t hwoul d f i ghtoutt he i rs or r owsbe f or eDe a t hga v eupl i kehea l wa y sdi d.The ywoul ddr i nkt oge t he r . Dr i nka sbe s ta sLi f ea ndDe a t hc oul d.I twa s n’ te a s y .Some howt hi ngsne v e rwe r e . “ De a t h” ,a not he rwhi nei nr e s pons e ,butt hi st i me ,Li f edi dnotpa us e .Di dnotwa s t ef orone mor es e c ondbe c a us ehowmuc ht i medi dLi f eha v et ol os e .Oneda ys hewa ss ur e ,t he ywoul d f a dei nt onot hi ngne s s ,l i ket hes t a r sa l ldi da ndi twoul dbee mpt y .Empt i ne s ss ounde dni c e . “ Whydope opl el ov eme ,butha t ey ou? ”De a t hl e thi ms e l fbee mpt y ,f orhec oul dnotr e s pond. Some t hi ngt ha tha dbe e nbot t l e di nhi mf ors ol ong,a ndhe r es hewa swa i t i ngf ora n e x pl a na t i ona ndi tc oul dnotc omeoutunl e s sa l la tonc e .I tc oul dn’ tbet a ke nba c ka f t e rt ha t .
“ You’ r ebe a ut i f ulLi f e ,t ha t ’ swha tt he ys a yi s n’ ti t ?Li f ei sbe a ut i f ul ,a l loft hos ehuma ns , t he yt a l ka bouty ouwi t hs uc hl ov ei nt he i rhe a r t s .The yha t emedon’ tt he y ?I ’ m notbe a ut i f ul l i key ou” .Ra t he rt ha nac ompl i me nt ,Li f et ooki ta saf a c t .De a t hdi dnotgi v eoutc ompl i me nt s . Hes t a t e dt het r ut hl i kehewa sar e a di ngabooka ndi twa smos tl i ke l yt obet het r ut hbe c a us e Li f ea ndDe a t ht he yus ua l l yknow.The yha v et o,s ot he yknowwhi c hone st ot a ke . “ Ar ey ounot ?Be a ut i f ult oo,t ha ti s . . . ”Li f et r a i l e dof f ,s udde nl yuns ur eofhe r s e l f ,be c a us e wha tc oul dbebe a ut i f ula boutt heda r kne s s ?De a t hhowl e d,notl i keawol f ,butmor el i ket he pi pe sofac hur c hor ga n.Some t hi ngt ha twa sf a re a s i e rt of e e lt ha nt ohe a r . “ Li f e ,y oua r eabe a ut i f ull i ea ndIa m apa i nf ult r ut h.Tha tmyde a ri swhyt he s ehuma nsl ov e y oua ndha t eme ” .Wi t ht ha t ,t hel i ght sf l i c ke r e dof fa ndt hewor l dwa sc oa t e di nda r kne s s .
“ youarea beautiful lie andIam a
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drabble
Iha t emy s el f bec a us eIa mf r a gi l e, a ndIwa ntt obes t r ong, s os t r ongt ha tI ’ l ls t opc r y i ng a ndnotf ea rs i t t i ngi nf r ontoft he pi a no. Iha t emy s el ff orbei ngs obr ea ka bl e, s ov ul ner a bl e,s oea s i l ys ha ken.Ic ont i nue pl a y i ng.Is t op,a ndbl owmynos e,wi pi ng wetey es .If eelt het r a c ksl ef tdownbypr ev i ous t ea r st ur ndr y ,l ea v i ngas a l t ypa t hbehi nd, a ndIt hi nkI ’ m donec r y i nga ndIs i tba c k i nf r ontoft hepi a noa ndt a keadeepbr ea t h a ndc ont i nue. If eels ohel pl es s . Wea k. s l a mmi ngmyha ndsdownont hekey s , Us el es s . a na ngr yc hor usofkey sa ga i ns tkey s Is c r ea m, a ndma j or s ec ondsa ndmi nort hi r dsc l a s hi ng. Ther oom i ss i l ent ; mymot heri si nherr oom. Idon’ tknowi fs hehea r s . AndIc r ya ga i n. AndIc ont i nuepl a y i ngt hepi a no
o o l i tu d e anf ds s tol e n f oo d I twasadar kands t or myni ght Yeti twast hes t or m onherf ace Thatmadehi mt r embl e Theyhadnot hi ngt os ayt oeachot her . I nt hes t i l l nes soft heni ght ,t hedeaf eni ngs i l ence Tor et hepeaceapar t Theywat chedt hef r agment ss hat t er Li ket hephot oont hemant l epi ece Out s i de,t hemoongr i nned Hef r ownedbecaus e Shewasl i ket hemoon Par tofherwasal wayshi ddenaway Sher ai s edhereyebr ows Asi ft ochal l engehi m Quel l i ngt hef i r ei ns i de Wi t hheri cys t ar e Hef el tasweakasaki t t en Quaki ngatt heknees Ti meheal sal lwounds Buti thadyett ohealt hi sone Thebr ui s eonhi sf or ehead Shoneasbr i ghtast hes t ar s Andt hepai nhef el ti ns i de Sentmor es hi ver sdownhi ss pi ne Ass hecur t l yr emar ked, “ ThatNut el l awasmi ne�
一声仓促的电话铃声打破了阴阴冷冷的宁静。在这天灰朦朦，阴云漠漠的大清早，大家措手不 及，提着水果，捧着鲜花，纷纷来到病榻旁；忍住泪水，勉强微笑，注视着他的脸和他那被病 魔吞噬的嶙峋的身体。大家都不敢交谈，此起彼伏的凝重的呼吸声；漫无目的简单的寒暄：“ 外面风好大”， “今天路上车好多”；这种宁静让人感到不安，感到可怕；其实每个人也都 在等待… 他突然嘴翘动起，“柜子里还有一罐蜂蜜，记得让孙女妞妞给吃了”，然后他闭上了眼睛，世 界又安静下去了。就这样结束了！？是不是应该有嚎啕大哭来划破现有的宁静，可惜没有，大 家面面相觑，还是那么鸦雀无声。 从病房出来，我不想坐车，我想一个人静一静，但若不是回家也只有半个小时的步行时间，或 许我会跳上公交，甚至叫个出租车。路在我脚下慢慢地延伸着，而我的思绪却在沸腾… 本来 他死了，我很难过，因为他是个好人，对人总是那么友好；可是听了临死前的那一句话，我又 没有那么难过了。他的一生活得没有自己，操心完他的儿女，死前还操心他的孙女。从医院到 家，这么一个短短的旅程，我都会考虑至少三种以上不同的行径方式；而他人生一辈子的路就 这样走得平平淡淡，无声无息，从没考虑过一丁点的自己… 我本以为，人死之前，应该好好咀嚼这辈子，回味这辈子，说出些让人刻骨铭心，大智大慧的 话；可他死的时候所说的话，如同他的一辈子的写照，没有自己。突然，我发现这种“要为自 己而活，活出自己”的想法，在我价值观里变得如此重要。我很不循规蹈矩吗？我只是有些很 不甘心罢了！一辆摩托从我身边一闪而过，我突然有了要追上他的念头，为什么？搭个便车？ 管他只有几分钟的行程，刺激一下不好吗？ “哈哈！”我的疯狂划破了周围的肃静，我奋起直追…
一聲倉促的電話鈴聲打破了陰陰冷冷的寧靜。在這天灰朦朦，陰雲漠漠的大清早，大家措手不 及，提著水果，捧著鮮花，紛紛來到病榻旁；忍住淚水，勉強微笑，注視著他的臉和他那被病 魔吞噬的嶙峋的身體。大家都不敢交談，此起彼伏的凝重的呼吸聲；漫無目的簡單的寒暄：“ 外面風好大”， “今天路上車好多”；這種寧靜讓人感到不安，感到可怕；其實每個人也都 在等待… 他突然嘴翹動起，“櫃子裡還有一罐蜂蜜，記得讓孫女妞妞給吃了”，然後他閉上了眼睛，世 界又安靜下去了。就這樣結束了！ ？是不是應該有嚎啕大哭來劃破現有的寧靜，可惜沒有， 大家面面相覷，還是那麼鴉雀無聲。 從病房出來，我不想坐車，我想一個人靜一靜，但若不是回家也只有半個小時的步行時間，或 許我會跳上公交，甚至叫個出租車。路在我腳下慢慢地延伸著，而我的思緒卻在沸騰… 本來 他死了，我很難過，因為他是個好人，對人總是那麼友好；可是聽了臨死前的那一句話，我又 沒有那麼難過了。他的一生活得沒有自己，操心完他的兒女，死前還操心他的孫女。從醫院到 家，這麼一個短短的旅程，我都會考慮至少三種以上不同的行徑方式；而他人生一輩子的路就 這樣走得平平淡淡，無聲無息，從沒考慮過一丁點的自己… 我本以為，人死之前，應該好好咀嚼這輩子，回味這輩子，說出些讓人刻骨銘心，大智大慧的 話；可他死的時候所說的話，如同他的一輩子的寫照，沒有自己。突然，我發現這種“要為自 己而活，活出自己”的想法，在我價值觀裡變得如此重要。我很不循規蹈矩嗎？我只是有些很 不甘心罷了！一輛摩托從我身邊一閃而過，我突然有了要追上他的念頭，為什麼？搭個便車？ 管他只有幾分鐘的行程，刺激一下不好嗎？ “哈哈！”我的瘋狂劃破了周圍的肅靜，我奮起直追…