__First attempt at a story. I've only ever written poems. Hope you enjoy!__
He held her tenderly in his arms. Warmth filled his body like a summer breeze, tingly and comforting. She whispered in his ear, "I'll never leave you." She whispered again, but he could not make out what she had murmured. He looked into her face as it faded away, leaving him alone.
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Jeremy awoke slowly, trying to get back to the dream. "I'll never leave you," he mumbled.
"What?" A gentle voice aroused him to full consciousness. He glanced over at his brother who was already up, sitting on the edge of his bed across the room. "Were you dreaming about that girl again?" He asked quietly.
"Derek, I told you. Not that girl. We've known each other for three years now. But yeah, another one of those dreams." Jeremy replied. "Well what's wrong with that?" he said, half to himself. "It's just a dream. It can't hurt anything."
Jeremy got dressed and headed down the steps happily. He was going to see her today. "Mom, I'm going out to meet Caitlyn soon, could I borrow the car?" He waited for a reply. None. "Mom?"
"In here honey." Jeremy walked into the study cautiously. Something in her tone was sad and frightened.
"Mom, you OK?" Mrs. Brighton looked up at him with a forced smile.
"Jeremy-" she paused. "Caitlyn had to cancel today... she's-" He looked at her questioningly. "Well, read the letter." She handed him an envelope addressed from the community hospital. Jeremy's heart fluttered nervously. He took out the letter from the already open envelope and read it quickly.
Dear Mr. Jeremy Brighton,
This is a letter to inform you that Caitlyn Fenech has been
taken seriously ill and is now in the care of the Kateridge
community hospital. She is requesting your presence.
Her illness is quite severe and she may have not many more
moments in this world. We are asking you to come immediately
or as soon as possible. Thank you.
"I have to go see her." His voice choked with emotion. He took the keys from his mom and ran out the door. Speeding away in the car his mind raced with anticipation, dread, and fear. Over and over in his head he told himself, "She'll live. She has to live!"
Arriving on the scene, he quickly went over to the bed where she was laying. Her hair was messy and strewn about on the pillow. He noted the way her dark eyelashes rested so softly on her white cheeks. "Caitlyn," he whispered. She did not open her eyes.
He waited all night with her, drifting off, his mind going back to years past.
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She laughed gaily, slipping her little hand into his, making him feel warmer on that cold, winter evening. He looked into her eyes. They sparkled with the life and joy she always seemed to have. They walked silently for a minute, him thinking about how he loved her, how much he would like to kiss her.
"Caitlyn- I want to give you something. " She looked up at him earnestly. "Close your eyes..." He stooped down to her height, laying his lips softly on her delicate rose colored lips. The lips of Caitlyn. His Caitlyn. His Caitlyn...
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"Sir, sir!" A hospital attendant shook Jeremy gently by the shoulders. He started awake suddenly.
"Sir," the attendant said, "she's gone." Jeremy looked at him. He looked at the bed where Caitlyn was laying peacefully.
"She- she's gone." He repeated. His voice broke. Silent tears streamed down his face. The attendant left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. Jeremy buried his in his hands, sobbing openly. "She's gone, she's gone, she's gone," he whispered, trying to resist the urge to punch something, anything.
He took her hand affectionately, pressing it to his cheek, letting his tears run over her fingers. That cold, unmoving hand. The hand that used to clasp his so warmly, that used to wipe away his tears when she was with him. Never again. Her sweet face no longer to smile, her heart, never to beat once more... her lips, never to kiss his again.
And him, never to love again.
