La vie en rose

His bared flesh was the sweetest pink, the color of a magnificent rose. Encased inside soft feathers of white yarn, his image etched into the heavens, an untouched star tapering off into the everafter.

It was Christmas day. His favorite time of the year. Black birds flew above, forming a black dandelion dream. She stared up at them, her hazel eyes widen as they disappeared into the trees. She heard a song being hummed from all around her. She listened as the sounds sank into her head like soft pebbles falling into still water. As they descended, she realized it was their song, a tender song that always make her swoon and long for the simple life.

The sky poured winter tears as he was being lowered down into the deep earth. Each droplet of snow fell and melted on the smooth, black surface. She stood looking down, unable to focus on anything but the ice melting on his final home. She hid her hands inside her thin, black coat, unable to keep the cold away. She raised her eyes to disbelieves, to the frozen faces surrounding her, each a mannequin of despair. She pulled one hand out, catching a basket of white, watching them melted in her palm as the final note came to an end. The humming was all in her head and yet she suspected it might have come from somewhere else.

She left him, heading for home. The dazed sky was still falling, turning everything into a white canvas. Her black boots trespassed through the soft pavements. Night has quietly drifted by, lacing the city in an overcast trance. She heard someone humming but when she turned around, the humming stopped. No one, not a single car was around.

She continued walking, slowing down her pace, staring straight ahead. Before her left foot hit the pavement, she heard it again. "La vie en rose" wisping through the air, moving closer to her with every step she makes. It wasn't from her, she knew that much. On the ground, she saw another shadow next to hers. She turned to her right but there was no one there. But the song was continually being hummed, now right next to her ear. She felt no fear. Her lips curved into a crescent moon. She hummed along as she continued home with the shadow following her.

Suddenly, a hand forced her to the ground. A silver gleam from the knife flashed into her eyes. He told her not to scream or else he would cut her throat. His knee was pressed into her back sending a twinge through her neck. She heard the sound of her dress being rip. She prayed it would end soon as her tears sank into the snow. But just as she couldn't suppressed her fears any longer, she felt the knee being lifted off her back. She dared not turn around.

She heard a man's scream followed by frightful profanities quietly fading away. She lifted her head just in time to see a man with the knife running away from her. He melted into a dark area of the street. She rolled over on her back, unable to move. For a moment she lay there, calmed by the falling snow.

Then she heard the song, their song, being hummed and she knew it was safe. She felt a bit dizzy as she pull herself up, brushing snow off her dress and coat. She saw something on the ground next to where she had laid. It was a heart drawn with snow with two initials in the center. Soon the snow covered their shapes but she knew it was him. She feared walking home alone, especially at night, he always knew that. She was sure it was his way of still keeping her safe.


Cafe Writing: Holiday Magic
Option Two: Pick Three: ablaze, earth, forehead, kindle, night, steadfast, star, taper