[Samael_22]: 619.Short Stories.Dark&Gloomy

Dark & Gloomy

 I was all alone at night. I really needed some company, but at midnight where can I find some company? This endless depression plagued me every night. I desperately needed companionship, but to be alone forever seemed to be my curse. I, Jake Gratefor, never experienced love like other people. The closest thing I had, was my cousin, Cherry, accompanying me as my date at the high school prom. I left her at the prom before the end of the night, because I was teased for not having a real date.
“Are you going to kiss your cousin,” they chanted at me, “Who’s your mother, is she your older sister also? Eh! Incest boy?”
 I really couldn’t take all this teasing so I ran, but the worst part is that it turned out for the best for Cherry. She would meet her eventual husband, Nathan. He was one of the biggest bullies to me during high school, and he continues to tease me now. Cherry told me it’s all in fun, but you try being teased all your life, and never experience companionship. I was never allowed a pet either; my parents didn’t believe I could handle a pet.

 Anyways back to my night. I barely saw anything. The streetlights were mostly burnt out. There was a small gloom over the street from one streetlight.
“Where is everyone?” I thought for a second, but it was midnight, everyone was probably sleeping.
 I walked ever so slowly under the one lit streetlight. I always wondered why I walked at night, but I think it was because of the peace and quiet. After all, if I’m destined for loneliness, I might as well walk alone when no one is out. So, I walked further and further, and the darkness crept over me. I needed some more light. I could barely see anything, but I continued walking.

 It was only when I spotted another streetlight when I saw a quick glimpse of a shadow.
“Who’s there?” I yelled, but there was no answer.
 I walked closer. For an instant I thought I heard a scream. It was so quick and faint, that I don’t know if I heard correctly. I looked around anyways. Nothing was around, or I couldn’t see anything. This night was getting creepier and creepier. I felt shivers down my spine. Yet, I knew I had to finish my walk; my apartment was only a block over. Just as I took one step the shadow appeared again and stood still. It looked quite short, but a human shadow, I’m sure of it. Who could this be? I knew everyone on this street, and most of them were tall.
“Who are you?” I asked, but still no answer.
 The shadow took a step toward me. The shivers came to me like hundreds of centipedes crawling up my back.

 I was scared. At this time, it could be anyone. Like maybe it was some psycho looking for his next victim. I sure as hell didn’t want to wait and find. I may be feeling lonely, but I didn’t want to die yet. I wanted to believe that there was hope for me. That I could fall in love, but the shadow was even closer now.
“Please, tell me who you are?” I cried, but the shadow didn’t answer. Was this shadow from a human?

 It must be; it walked like a human. This shadow frightened me. I had no clue what its intentions were, but I was sure it had something to do with me. It came closer and closer to me, so I ran. I ran as fast as I could. I wanted to get home, sleep and forget about this night, but as I reached the streetlight I tripped. I fell face forward and hard unto the pavement. I felt a large scrape on my face, and my arm was really sore. I was aching when I turned on my back. The shadow would surely catch me now. What was I to do?

 I didn’t want to face something that I didn’t know. This shadow seemed evil, but I looked up at the dark and gloomy sky. This was not a good night.
“How much worse can my life get?” I thought, “What else is going to happen to me?”
 I just laid there on the pavement. I might as well let the shadow come to me now. I thought it was the angel of death, and it was my time to die. My life seemed to be getting worse, so now was a good time for it. Any minute now, my life would be free from this existence, or at least I hoped for that. No more need for companionship, just my corpse lying there in a coffin.

 The night seemed endless now. I felt the shadow creeping up on me, but it took so long; it seemed like an eternity. Then a strong gust of wind flew around me. Everything got darker in front of me. I knew exactly what has happened, the shadow was right over me

“Jake?” I heard from a voice nearby.
 Finally it was here to take me away. I moved so I could the face of the angel of death, but this figure didn’t look like an angel. No, I recognized this figure. I recognized her from high school. It was Rina, the only girl who ever said hi to me at school. Man was she ever beautiful now, but of course I barely saw her face. It was still quite beautiful; I saw a few midtones which highlighted her lips, nose and eyes. Even still, this image was beautiful to see, for I’d thought she was the angel of death.

“Hello, Rina, what brings you out this late?” I asked.
“I like walking at night, it’s so soothing.” She answered.
 Rina helped me stand up. My arm was in pain, but I acted tough for Rina. I didn’t want her to notice any pain in me.
“What you been up to?” Rina asked.
“Just been very lonely, living my life as a poor lonely middle aged man.” I replied.
“You’re only 22, Jake” Rina said, “You’re still young. Look we should catch up. I feel like we were meant to meet each other tonight. Let’s go for coffee tomorrow. My treat!”
I looked straight into her eyes and said:”You look so beautiful in this gloom of the night. I’ve been so lonely; it will be a pleasure to have coffee with someone else. Of course I’ll accompany you for a coffee.”
 So there I was, finally with a companion, my own dark and gloomy companion.