Left Alone

The birds, once ensnared by a sorcerer's enchantment, now appeared to break free at the mere touch of this small piece of paper. Their presence by the window sent a shiver down my spine, their eerie forms glinting ominously in the darkness, a stark reminder of a past I had long sought to bury. Now, as they drew near, it felt as though my very soul was being crushed within me.

Why, Dad? Why did you subject me to this? Especially now, when I thought I had finally managed to move on.

There was no escape, no way to evade the onslaught of memories and demons hurtling towards me. All I could do was surrender, to yield to their relentless advance, for no matter how fast I ran or how fiercely I fought, I knew I lacked the strength, both physical and mental, to resist.

As they closed in, I blinked, their proximity unleashing a flood of vivid recollections, playing out before me with startling clarity, as though on a high-definition screen.

We sat together on a bench beneath the comforting shade of a tree, its branches alive with the sweet melodies of small sparrows. Her gaze followed their graceful movements with complete admiration.

"Isn't it beautiful?" she remarked, her eyes still captivated by the birds.

"Absolutely breathtaking," I murmured, leaning in close behind her and resting my chin on her shoulder.

For a while, we simply soaked in the beauty of the scene before us. The park, situated close to our school, was often deserted, offering us a serene sanctuary away from the bustle of daily life. Today, after school, sensing some tension in her demeanor, I had asked if we could spend some time together here.

She hadn't spoken a word in response, but her nod was all I needed.

As we made our way from the school building to the park, I couldn't help but marvel at the tranquility that surrounded us. The absence of human presence allowed us to immerse ourselves in the wonders of nature—listening to the chirping birds, witnessing their tireless efforts to gather food for their young ones, and marveling at the intricacies of life unfolding before us.

Following her lead, I took a seat beside her on the bench. We fell into a comfortable silence, each lost in our own thoughts. She admired nature's beauty with a sense of reverence, while I found myself utterly captivated by the beauty of her presence. In that moment, I desired nothing more than to savor the perfect blend of her radiance and the soothing melody of nature's music.

"Hun?" she spoke, breaking the silence, as I hummed in response.

She fell into silence, her words seemingly diverted by some unseen force, leaving her with nothing to say. I respected her need for space, allowing her the time to gather her thoughts and express whatever troubled her.

"Arthur?" Her voice, speaking my name, sent a shock through my heart. Despite its usual soothing quality, this time it carried an underlying fear that I couldn't ignore.

Fear of what, I wondered, desperate to understand.

I reached out, gently taking her hand in mine as it rested in her lap, sandwiching it between my own. Still, she didn't turn to face me, her gaze fixed on the birds.

"I'm here, I'm listening," I reassured her softly, the words accompanied by a heavy silence. There were no words, only the sound of her uneven breaths, punctuated by soft, irregular sobs.

My throat tightened with a knot as her crying intensified, slow and unsteady. I gently tugged at her shoulders, guiding her to face me. Her eyes remained shut, tears streaming down her cheeks, her lips trembling. My heart shattered into pieces at the sight of her pain; I couldn't bear to see her like this.

"What's wrong?" I managed to stammer, my voice breaking as I spoke.

She buried her face in my chest, her cries growing louder. I wrapped my arms around her, offering what little comfort I could as she let out her anguish, her tears soaking into my shirt.

After some time, she pulled away, her eyes red and swollen. I brushed my thumb across her cheeks, wiping away the tears.

"Dad..." she began, her voice choked with emotion before she dissolved into tears once more.

"He's been transferred to another state," she managed to say between sobs. "And he wants us to move there with him."

My heart plummeted to the depths, each beat echoing with despair. "Tell me this is a joke," I pleaded silently, though her tear-stained face told me otherwise.

"How is this possible?" I exclaimed, my hands falling from her shoulders in disbelief.

"I don't know," she sniffed, her voice trembling. "All I know is we have to go with him. And I can't stay here, not at any cost."

"But..." My words trailed off, halted by the overwhelming flood of thoughts.

I saw it then, vivid in my mind's eye—the image of me standing outside her house, shattered and alone, watching as she drove away with her parents, leaving me behind.

Left alone.

Completely alone.

In the tranquil moments of the park, under the comforting embrace of nature, our connection deepened as we shared the silent serenity. The rustle of leaves overhead and the delicate chirping of sparrows provided a soothing backdrop to our thoughts, amplifying the intimacy of the moment.

When she finally broke the silence, speaking my name, it was as if the entire world held its breath, waiting for her words to unfold. Her voice, usually a melody to my ears, carried an unexpected weight, hinting at the turmoil within.

I reached out to her, clasping her hand gently, a silent gesture of solidarity and support. She didn't turn to face me, her gaze fixed on the birds flitting amongst the branches above. Yet, her hand in mine spoke volumes, a silent plea for understanding and comfort.

As she began to speak, her words trembled with emotion, each syllable heavy with the weight of her distress. I listened intently, my heart breaking with each revelation. The news of her father's transfer and the imminent move shook the very foundation of our shared world, casting a shadow over our future together.

In that moment, I felt a surge of helplessness, knowing that I couldn't shield her from the challenges ahead. Yet, I vowed to stand by her side, offering whatever solace and support I could muster.

As her tears flowed, I held her close, offering silent reassurance amidst the turmoil. Though uncertainty loomed on the horizon, our bond remained steadfast, a beacon of hope in the face of adversity. Together, we would weather the storm, drawing strength from each other's presence as we navigated the uncertain path ahead.