Take My Breath Away

• Ned Leaitherland-Napier, Grade 11
• Short Story
• 2016

Looking into her peaceful eyes, I felt the indescribable feeling you can only call love. Her hand in mine, the reality of the familiar smell dancing through the wind, I developed an understanding of why throughout time, people had killed and committed foul deeds for a love like ours.
I remember ‘the’ night; it snowed the first snow of the year. Late home from work, the wind howled as if it was a whispered argument; as I stepped onto the blanketed street. The sight was inspiring. I felt I could fly if only I had the wings to do so, to the place I wanted be, in the arms of someone I loved and who loved me.
I watched their pained and cold faces. People of every age, shape and size, moving purposefully down the almost perfect white street. I noticed each determined face and I wondered, do they love as I love? Dream as I dream? Live as I live? All questions millions have asked, but none have answered.
My attention shifts to a lone woman in the middle of the path. All that is left is she and I. She buckles to her knees; I start running and catch her as she falls. In that moment falling together almost endlessly. Locked together in a tightness that will never be replicated. Landing in the snow as her widened eyes peer innocently into mine. Her hair strewn upon the snow as if it was a stain upon an almost perfect parchment. Looking down on the damsel before me, I lean in and steal a kiss from her sweet and coppery lips. As my lips depart hers, she exhales deeply, as if I have taken her breath away.
As her previously lively lips turning blue, I scrape her off the ground and continue with her to my apartment. Ascending the staircase my embrace tightens around her with each step. Reaching my apartment, I slip my key gently into the lock and smoothly turn the chamber. The gentle thud of the door opening signified we had made it- we were home. Continuing with her to my room, I gently take off her jacket and slowly wrap her in the soft embrace of an electric blanket as I turn off the light and slip gently under the covers to join her. Feeling the touch of her cold skin on mine, I wrap my arms around her waist. Comforted by my new found love, I sleep a slumber so deep few things can compare.
As I wake in the morning, I turn to see her eyes wide-open, but somewhat peaceful -looking at me, almost through me. I take her still cold hand in mine whispering my confession of adoration to her. I get no response. I slip my hands into her hair; smoother than silk. Bringing our lips together in a kiss that feels lifeless; her usual smell of musk missing, replaced by a smell of carrion.
Till death do us part?