Between Pen and Paper

The cold sept in around the young woman's frame, her body shivering at the contrast. She stared blankly at the night sky, the stars twinkling hopefully back at her but she knew their light was not intended for her. Hope was fading fast from her and a part of her welcomed it. Too many long, torturous years had passed for her to want to cling to life now and there was something comforting in the icy darkness that circled her, waiting to claim her. 

She made an attempt to lift her head, damp red locks sliding against the clammy skin of her face as she moved. She could now see the one who had brought about all of this. He stood there, masked by shadow, staring straight at her. She imagined the cruel smirk upon his features and could see it quite clearly even though his face was shrouded in the night. A twinge of pain shot up her right side and she let out a dull whimper, her head falling back to the snow with a low crunching sound.

The sound of footsteps approaching was now the only sound to reach her ears, she couldn't even make out her own breaths. Was she still even breathing? It was so hard to tell. She felt numb, partly from the cold, partly from the wound she had suffered but most of all from the years she had spent burying all the sensations she felt, emotional and physical alike. As she lay there, she became aware of moaning filling the night air and she realised they were forced from her own lips. 

The dark figure knelt at her side but she didn't strain to see his face, she didn't want to see the emptiness in his eyes. That was far more frightening than what awaited her. He leant in close and she could feel his hot breath against the side of her face. Another shiver crept down her spine and she closed her eyes, trying to block everything else out, hoping that sleep would come soon. She only became more aware of his presence though and that constant, steady sound of his breathing tormented her.

After what seemed like an eternity, he whispered his final words to her, the last words she would ever hear. "Do not fear, it will all be over soon... Shiho."

END OF DRABBLE