| Destruction |

| August 4, 2017 |

* * *

| Destruction |

Listen to 'Red Sorrow' by Audiomachine as you read this short story. It'll add to the mood. 

* * * 

They say that curiosity is a dangerous thing. That being too curious could lead to destruction. That curiosity killed the cat. But satisfaction never brought it back. After all, you can't bring the dead back to life. And I speak from experience. 

Life was peaceful and calm. Everything was as perfect as could be. I was happy, she was happy, we were happy. I had plans. Plans that would seal our future together. The ring was hiding at the spot I picked out. I made sure it was her favorite place. She had no idea about the event. But then again, neither did I. 

I guess fate just didn't want us to be together. I think maybe he was jealous that we were so happy together. That we didn't need him anymore. That we decided to take matters into our own hands. But he proved stronger. Because only destruction lay ahead. 

Hand in hand, we walked down the streets, oblivious to the world around us. But I should've paid more attention. I would've noticed the signs. I would've taken us far away and planned my event for another time. But I was so lost in her. Her fiery red hair which would later match the sky. Her crystal blue eyes that would soon match the darkened clouds. Her cream colored skin which would darken like ash. 

I was a fool. I played like a fool and lost like a fool. Only I wasn't the one that was cut down. It was the love of my life. The one who completed me. The one who didn't deserve the punishment. The one who needed to life. 

The explosions happened too close for comfort. The sounds of screaming and wailing echoed around the whole city. Smoke lifted up towards the heavens, blanketing the town in its suffocating clutches. Red streaks lit up every corner, slowly engulfing the city in its embrace. 

The screaming continued. The panic spread. The horror became more real. And the love of my life was running towards a falling building that was guarded by roaring flames. 

"Adrianna! Adrianna!" I shouted, hoping my voice was louder than the deafening flames slowly closing in on us. "Come back!" I continued as I scrambled to my feet and pushed passed the rest of the citizens. But she kept going. And going. And going. Until she reached her destination. Her final destination. 

I saw it before she did. The building shake. I saw the debris fall. The bricks collapsing. And I was too far away to protect her. 

"ADRIANNA!" I screamed. That's when she looked up and shielded herself with her arms. Then it all fell and she was gone from my sight. 

I urged my feet to go faster and soon, I was on my knees pulling away at the rubble, looking for her in the mess. And then I saw her arm. Cut and broken and...limp. 

"No, no, NO!" I screamed as I dug faster. "NO PLEASE!" I screamed as I found her. I pulled her up and cradled her lifeless form in my arms. "Adri no. No," I cried. Then, like fate was mocking me, the sky darkened up with rain clouds and it began to pour all around us. Only one part of light shined through the darkness and it was on us. Like a spotlight. But nobody was around except us two. 

"Come back to me. I had everything planned out. Our wedding, our future," I whispered into her wet hair. "Please Adri. Come to me. I'll be better. I'll be a better man. Just come back to me," I wept as I cuddled her closer to me. "Come back."

She never did. She remained lifeless in my arms, her once sparkling blue eyes now diminished and looking straight ahead. Looking but not seeing. Open but forever closed. In my arms but not mine anymore. For death had claimed her. And he wouldn't give her back. Ever. 

So, you think satisfaction could bring you back? Absolutely not. My love was curious about whoever was at the building and before she could save them, she herself perished. No amount of pleading and begging was ever going to bring the dead to life. You could try but the result is the same. Futile. And disappointing. And destructive.