karmacameknocking
The bridge hadn't changed much since the last time he was here. The metal had rusted more and more of the green paint had chipped off the railing. But other than these aesthetic differences, nothing had changed. But he had changed. He had come to this bridge over a year ago, adamant that he was going to go over. He was prepared for the impact and for the world to simply end. But then she walked by, earbuds in and looked him in the eye for only a second. She knew the signs, what he was planning to do, so she pleaded with him silently not to go through with it. "No," she mouthed as she shook her head. And like that, he abandoned all thoughts and notions of jumping off that bridge. All because of that one stranger.
The apology fell upon deaf ears. No matter how many times she tried to say it, in a whisper, in a scream or somewhere in the middle, he never understood it. Rather, he didn't want to understand what it meant to be sorry, to have someone ask for forgiveness. But still she tried desperately for him to listen to her. But instead he decided that is grudge was more appealing and let her apology fall to the floor.
She stared blankly into the fireplace, mesmerized by the dancing sparks and embers before her. She was cold, though she no longer remembered the feeling as her skin grew numb. But the fire radiated out towards her, inviting her to come closer, enveloping her in warmth. But she stayed a safe distance away. She loved fire, but like life, getting to close could leave you burned.