Wiki:
Page name: Something Lost, Something Gained [Logged in view] [RSS]
2005-03-24 21:41:19
# of watchers: 2
Fans: 0
D20: 15
Bookmark and Share

Something Lost, Something Gained


A story with some true elements.

“Everything looks so familiar, and yet so distant.” As I look around the playground something nags at the back of my head, but the haze makes things difficult to see clearly. I am the only person. There are no children, just a wind that rocks the swings, making a creaking sound. The fallen leaves rustle and swirl, and masses of colors reminding only of autumn and things past. “What am I doing here? What is going on?”

Suddenly a bell rings, signaling the end. “The end of what?” I ask myself, trying to remember what it is I know I should be remembering. School… something clicks. I recognize the school. I had not been to the school in many years; it was but a distant memory, a happy one. I have so few of those anymore. But still I cannot remember everything, there are holes, blank spaces that I know I should remember… yet cannot.

A roll of thunder has me looking into the sky. Dark gray and black clouds are gathering. “They are coming to play with me.” As soon as I say it I know it is a strange thought, but it seems right. I watch as the curtain of rain edges closer and closer, silk to wrap me. Another memory comes back. “That is right, the rain season. Autumn always holds rain.” 

A lightning bolt flashes at the other end of the playground. Something tells me I should be worried, but I am not. I look as the rain clears the smoke. My hair is completely straight with the water running down it in rivulets, darker then my normal color. Such strangeness and yet it doesn’t really seem that way. Where there were only fields and fences there stands a graveyard. I vaguely remember being afraid of graveyards, but this one called to me. 

This graveyard had no fence but the trees surrounding three of its sides. It was friendly, yet sad, not the eerie of the graveyards that touched my memory. I wanted to walk through and remember all the people that now made it their home. I started to walk to the left but felt pulled to a small grave underneath a tree on the right side. Something flashed through my mind, but it was too fast to grasp. I knew this grave was important to me, that I should know it, but I could not remember any death. I saw the name on the tombstone and gasped.

“Has no one told you her breath left her?” The voice startled me, it was so like my own, yet strange, it echoed and there was the oddness of hearing your own voice on top of it. I looked up and the shadowy figure sitting on the tombstone, the dark yet translucent hair touched by rain, the green eyes ringed in deeper green, was me, and yet not. A sadness touched eyes and face that did not bother to hide emotion.

I looked back at the tombstone. “Kathryn M. Eckenroed,” I whispered the name of a dear friend, a sister. “ ‘The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart.’ And now you are a part of that.” The quote came unbidden to my lips. I remembered it from somewhere.

“Helen Keller,” my likeness gave me the name I could not remember.

“Who are you?” I asked as I looked back up.

“I am your mind. I am what might have been.” She ran her hands along the tombstone. Her long dress was blown over the writing by the wind. That was a difference, you never saw my in a dress. “I am what you and she always hope might come to pass. A hope you thought had died with the rending of your family and hers.”

I shook my head fiercely.  “This is only a dream, if I smile and don’t believe, if I deny it, I shall wake.” I closed my eyes and willed myself away. When I opened them again I was still there, and so she, with that sad look on her face. I wanted to scream and wipe the look away. Didn’t she know that showing her emotions made her vulnerable? Made me vulnerable… she was I. I pinched myself, but still nothing happened, I was still in the graveyard facing the image of myself. 

She sighed; it seemed heavy, like it could crush what ever was underneath. “I’m afraid it is not a dream. I came to talk to you.” She gestured around. “To show you everything you forget.”

“Don’t try to fix me.” I said fiercely. “I’m not broken. I may be the lie living so you can hide here in memory, but I’m not broken!” I fell to my knees, letting the soft rain envelop me in its embrace. I felt the caring more then the translucent arms wrapping me. I looked up. She had gotten down off the tombstone and come over to me.

“Don’t cry. Oh, please don’t cry.” Her soft eyes seemed like deep pools of green. I found myself wondering if mine looked like that to people who knew me well and were able to get close to me. “I never said you were broken, or that I was trying to fix you.” A hand that seemed almost solid, and gaining just a little realness with each tear, wiped a tear from my cheek. “We wanted to show you what you forgot. Forgetting is never the answer, you must face your past.” She looked at the tombstone behind her. “Although, now you must do it without her.”

As I felt myself become more like her and her more like me, I knew suddenly that I was not dreaming. I would not wake and find this only yet another distant memory. The memories she called upon were still vague, but they were coming back. I remembered my family, the distance that they’ve put between them. I remembered her family and the struggles. I remembered being the only one from my family standing under the rain-touched sky as she was lowered into the embrace of Mother Earth.

“But…” the voice called me back from remembering, “that doesn’t mean you must do it completely alone.” She gestured and back where the playground had been was another field, and standing there I saw some of my loved ones. At the front of the group, my boyfriend opened his arms to me. I ran to him and felt his loving arms embrace me.

I looked back and no longer saw myself. Leaving my boyfriend’s arms I fell back down at the tombstone. The rain slowly stopped, but some dark clouds still remained. “Hello!” I yelled into the sky. “I’m still here! All that is left of yesterday!” But my voice echoed in the stillness. I dropped my head to cry the tears that had been waiting for so long to fall. I felt arms around my shoulders, I whispered, “I’m still here.”

“Hello” by Evanescence

Playground school bell rings again
Rain clouds come to play again
Has no one told you she’s not breathing?
Hello I’m your mind giving you
Someone to talk to
Hello

If I smile and don’t believe
Soon I know I’ll wake from this dream
Don’t try to fix me I’m not broken
Hello I’m the lie living for you so you can hide
Don’t cry

Suddenly I know I’m not sleeping
Hello I’m still here
All that’s left of yesterday

Username (or number or email):

Password:

[Leelo]: What ya mean?

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: Goth doesn't love, not that way. he's Goth.

[Leelo]: ummmmmmmmm?

[naughty_goth]: i love because i dont have anyone to love

[Leelo]: You love because you don't have anyone to love? huh? I'm confused....

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: You have me!

[naughty_goth]: i meant i dont love lol sorry

[Leelo]: what ya mean ya don't love? Everyone loves, if not each other they, love, something....

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: Take a look at the lyrics of the new song in my descrip. "I am a Rock"

[Leelo]: oki!~

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: They hit home this morning listening to it, and I think Goth would understand.

[Leelo]: oki... lol

[naughty_goth]: i love nothing or noone

[Leelo]: wow..... I still don't get it.....

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: *sighs* Sometimes You've just been hurt too much to let someone back in quickly, Snicker.

[Leelo]: I know that all too well.....

[naughty_goth]: ya i dont love because i hate pain well i like physical pain but thats it

[Leelo]: In other words your afraid to take a chance, and risk.... Sometimes ya just gotta get out there I mean i know you may have been hurt, but guess what everyone has at some point.... That's just one of the facts of life.... But to not love because you hate the pain, means that your just cowering away from life, and missing out on great things that could happen if you took the risk....

[naughty_goth]: i took risks and everyone of them sucked so i qiut

[Leelo]: heh... every one of the risks I take suck, but I never quit....

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: risks are adventure....

[Leelo]: Yeah they're part of the spice in life... makes alot of things worth while....

[naughty_goth]: my spice in life is this* holds out his scar covered arms*

[Leelo]: *tears* Why would you wanna do somethign like that....?

[naughty_goth]: because it is fun for me

[Leelo]: How is somethign like that any fun?

[naughty_goth]: for me it is *bows* it is my spice to life

[Leelo]: If you say so.... I can't see how it would be... but oh well....

[naughty_goth]: im a masochist

[Leelo]: What's that?

[naughty_goth]: i like the feel of pain

[Leelo]: Well I do to some extent....

[naughty_goth]: well i more than like it i love it lol

[Leelo]: Well I only like it to an extent... cuz well ya know... it's pain....

[naughty_goth]: oh i cant go without it

[Leelo]: hmmmmm could you with stand being burned alive?

[naughty_goth]: yes

[Leelo]: How do you know? ever been burned alive?

[naughty_goth]: no but ive beened burnt many times

[Leelo]: hmmm it's not like being burned alive...

[naughty_goth]: it is when you hold the flames until they burn your flesh black

[Leelo]: Why would you wanna do that?

[naughty_goth]: because as i said i love pain

[Leelo]: I know I know....

[Leelo]: so anyways..... what's new?

[naughty_goth]: nothing

[Leelo]: same here

[naughty_goth]: sounds fun

[Leelo]: Yeah I guess.... lol

[naughty_goth]: haha

[Leelo]: I think my brain is fixin to die....

[naughty_goth]: what??

[Leelo]: My head hurt last night lol

[naughty_goth]: thats bad

[Leelo]: Yeah and it still hurts today... grrrr

[naughty_goth]: *gently rubs forehead* will you be ok??

[Leelo]: Yeah I'll be fine.... just need to find something to make the it go away....

[Leelo]: Yeah.... *sighs* I hate headaches...

[naughty_goth]: me too

[Leelo]: Yeah feels like your brain is gonna explode lmao!!

[naughty_goth]: i hate thosekind

[Leelo]: yeah and I was lauhging alot last night and today... and it made it worse....grrr.... sometimes I hate the fact I love to laugh.... lmao!!! Ouch....

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: Headaches aren't nice

[Leelo]: Yeah i know

[Leelo]: Yeah i knowlol

[Leelo]: lol

[naughty_goth]: hey

[Leelo]: howdy

[Leelo]: YAY!!!

[naughty_goth]: not for long lol it was just temporary but now i am for good

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: Goody! *hugs*

[naughty_goth]: lol *hugs*

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: Such fun we all have.

[naughty_goth]: ya lots l9l

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: lots of luvs

[naughty_goth]: lol

[Leelo]: laallalaallaaaa

[naughty_goth]: *sits on a couch*

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: *sits next to Goth* Hey, Baby

[naughty_goth]: hello??

[naughty_goth]: *relaxes and leans back*

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: *hugs* Why is it, Goth, every guy but the one I realy want are so easy with me?

[naughty_goth]: i dont know

[naughty_goth]: i think its wierd

[naughty_goth]: that all guys otherthan the one your dating is easy withyou lol

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: I'm not with only one guy, Goth. After catching [Ander Calydan] Cheating, i'm in no big hurry to single date.

[naughty_goth]: oh i see

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: *sighs* yeah

[naughty_goth]: that sucks that he is cheating

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: cheating? you can only cheat if you are attatched, he no longer is.

[naughty_goth]: oh well im trying to say the right thinmg

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: *hugs* it's ok I know

[naughty_goth]: *hugs* thanks

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: How you been?

[naughty_goth]: ok i suppose

[naughty_goth]: ya i guess so

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: *lounges around*

[naughty_goth]: *flops in a dark corner and plays with his kukuri*

[naughty_goth]: its a type of dagger

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: Oh ok, Now I think it sounds familiar

[naughty_goth]: ya i love the kukuri very nice blade lol

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: It's a curved dagger right?

[naughty_goth]: kinda it has an almost 90 degree bend forward

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: Yeah, that's the one

[naughty_goth]: lol ya

[naughty_goth]: hehe myfavorite blade

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: I'm not sure what my favorite blade is, I'd have to think on it, it's kinda like asking what my favorite ice cream is.

[naughty_goth]: lol

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: I hate picking favorites

[naughty_goth]: ah i see

[naughty_goth]: *lays down in a shadowy corner*

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: *curls up on the couch like a cat*

[naughty_goth]: *sneaky up to the couch and peeks over*

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: *opens one eye and watches you*

[naughty_goth]: *sits down behind the couch back to it and begins sharpening his katana quietly*

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: Wait.... what are you doing?

[naughty_goth]: *still sharpening it* nothing hehe just making sure its ready for my exhibit

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: exhibit?????

[naughty_goth]: my dojo is doing an exhibit thing and i have to do form and sparring in boken and i use a real katana in form

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: Oh OK cool, sounds like fun

[naughty_goth]: ya its fun but kinda long

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: Only if you think of it that way.

[naughty_goth]: it is from 8 am till 5 pm

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: I'm sure you could find something to entertain yourself.

[naughty_goth]: lol

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: My suggestions might get you into trouble though....

[naughty_goth]: like what??

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: bad things, I like trouble.... super waxing the floor in random places, cans of silly string....

[naughty_goth]: lol

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: *sheepish grin*

[naughty_goth]: *smiles*

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: *looks over the back of the couch, how's it goin?

[naughty_goth]: its going good

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: That's good, how did the performance go?

[naughty_goth]: i did well but a friend slipped and cut himself but hes ok now

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: Ouch, that's not good, i thought you weren't gonna wax the floor in random spots!

[naughty_goth]: i didnt he got his foot caught on the mat then slipped and sliced

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: Oh ok. well at least you were good

[naughty_goth]: ya i almost forgot part of it though

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: uh oh, why would you do a think like that?

[naughty_goth]: i got side tracked

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: By what? a cute girl?

[naughty_goth]: ya lol

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: ooooo who is she?

[naughty_goth]: dont know she was just at the mall where we did our deminstration

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: should have talked to her

[naughty_goth]: i should of but i couldnt leave in the middle of the demonstration and she was gone after i went

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: *sighs* oh well can't win them all

[naughty_goth]: ya unfortunately

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: maybe you will see her again

[naughty_goth]: doubtful

[naughty_goth]: true true

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: I've thought I'd never see someone, then I run into them in the most unlikely place

[naughty_goth]: lol cool

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: So don't give up hope

[naughty_goth]: hehe hope was given up right away with me

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: *hugs* I haven't

[naughty_goth]: *hugs back* thanks

[naughty_goth]: hehe

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: So how's karate goin?

[naughty_goth]: hey sorry i havent rep[lyed in so long

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: No it's fine, people get busy

[naughty_goth]: heh it wasnt precisly busy as it was away for a wee while

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: that happens

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: What have you been up to? I've been workin

[naughty_goth]: not much recently

[naughty_goth]: oh tons

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: where'd you disappear to?

[naughty_goth]: dont know

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: ? how can you not know?

[naughty_goth]: oh you mean where i have been this time i was gone this time i had to fix my comp lol

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: ew comp problems

[naughty_goth]: ya i hate them

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: I always have them, it sux

[naughty_goth]: lol ya my current comp is a piece of junk

[naughty_goth]: dont be

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: have you taken a hammer to it yet?

[naughty_goth]: almost

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: then it would be a piece of junk

[naughty_goth]: lol

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: or pieces....

[naughty_goth]: true

[Lady Edana-Arianrhod Rós]: but then you couldn't come see me

Number of comments: 403
Older comments: (Last 200)

200 older comments
(0, 0-21):

Show these comments on your site

Elftown - Wiki, forums, community and friendship.