The crisp autumn wind blew through her soft red curls, making them stick to her face where tears once travelled. She had finally stopped crying, but not on her own accord, there were just no tears left. She hung her head low, not really sure what to do with herself, not sure where to place her hands and never feeling comfortable. Her black dress danced with the wind, moving to the sound of whistling and soft murmurs. She finally looked up. Her face was scarred with sorrow; her once beautiful features were now torn from bitter emotion. She let out a heartfelt cry, shouting into the wind. She didn’t want him to go, she never wanted to have to say goodbye to him, to look into his eyes as he said he might not be returning. She remembered this moment; it played in her head continuously, she was unable to stop it. She grasped her head and dropped to her knees. She was tormented by the emptiness she felt. Why did he have to go?
Chapter One
The duvet swallowed all hope of trying to get out of bed. It created a soft barrier between the harsh world and bliss. Its’ warm cosiness drove away any thought of actually leaving to try and get on with life. David wrapped his large arm around Karen, he loved watching her slowly wake up, watching her green eyes sparkle in the light of the newly risen sun. Her thick eyelashes batting against her soft rosy cheeks, her pink mouth turning into a smooth smile as she realises she’s in his arms.
“Good morning sunshine” David playfully smiled at her, brushing off her silky red hair from her face. She tiredly grunted to show recognition of his greeting. Karen slowly raised her arms to stretch; then looked over at the clock. She moved in closer to him, feeling his warm breath against her forehead.
“Morning” she managed to force out during a yawn. Her teeth glistened as she grinned, like precious pearls discovered by deep sea divers. David continued to hold her, he was reluctant to let go, wanting this moment to last for forever and a day. He rested his head against hers, smothering his face in her hair, slowly inhaling her sweet scent. He loved her smell, it reminded him of the day they met, the warm spring breeze, the field of poppies, her youthful smile, she hadn’t changed one bit. He gently kissed the top of her head as she clutched onto his grey t-shirt. David sighed.
He stretched his legs out, making Karen release her grip, and stood up and got out of bed. He looked back at Karen, he seemed distressed, he just stared into her eyes, trying to catch a glimpse of emotion in them, he could have been standing there for seconds or days, he lost complete track of time. Karen held her hand out for him to hold it, but he refused with a slight turn of his head. Karen knew automatically something was up; he would never turn her down; so she crawled across the mattress and leaned towards him.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, worry was hanging in her voice, she tried to look into his eyes, but he turned away. David picked up his trousers and slipped them on slowly, his head still low and his eyes never meeting hers. As he finally did up his trousers, he looked her straight in the face, and hesitated.
“Karen, I’m, I’m sorry. There’s something I’ve got to do.” Without waiting for a response he walked out the door, but guilt slowly built up on him. Why was he doing this to himself, and why was he doing this to his love of his life. He wasn’t sure, be he was sure about one thing; he was going to make his father proud.
