Puppy

Poochie’s little paw moved over the door, the excitement growing, knowing what was about to happen. The great outdoors, the place of walks, freedom, random treats left on the floor by strangers and running. She loved all of those things. The beaches, the sunshine, the stroking and, most of all, even more running.

She loved being chased, but then turning to chase the chaser. Her soft, pink, long tongue fell from the side of her mouth, as the door finally opened. Bounding forward, legs in the air, her mighty strides ensured that she covered the entire front garden in the shortest time imaginable. She found a toy, another toy, a small ball and then something different to sniff. It was some type of mashed up paper, like the ones her owners looked through each day, but this was covered in some substance which smelled ever so good.

She started to lick the paper as her Mummy walked over, taking the paper from her, as her mouth gnashed. She panted, knowing that she at least managed to lick some of the snack juice. Once again, tasting freedom, she ran around the garden and, suddenly, realised that she needed to poop. Sniffing the ground, locating a suitable place, she waltzed around the same spot until her leg raised and the poop appeared. She looked around the garden, straining, knowing that it would shortly all be over and then there would be more fun to be had.

As her hind legs scratched away the horrendous smell, she trotted off towards the door to see what was happening. As she approached, she listened for any of the five words that she’d managed to understand. Mummy looked upset, as Poochie continued to listen, with her head slightly titled to the side. She heard the word stop, once, twice, then watched as Mummy started to cry. She’d never seen this before, in all of the weeks, days and months that she’d been here.

Poochie sat, not quite knowing what was going on, as her Daddy waved his arms around in the air, possibly as he didn’t really care. Then, as his arms stopped moving, he turned and walked towards the gate. She jumped up, following her Daddy, as this would now be the time to find all of those glorious snacks, to chase thrown stones on the beach, as well as sniff anything and everything.

“No, Poochie, stay. Stay!” said her Father. She once again sat, as her Daddy opened the gate and walked away. She didn’t understand as, instead, she simply stopped sitting to push her face through the gate’s view hole. She’d miss him, wherever he was going, but he would eventually come back. Turning her head to look back towards the door, she caught sight of Mummy sat on the small step, with water still moving from her eyes.

She turned, waltzing again back towards the door. Poochie was glad that she was not alone, as that was simply the worst. It was boring, especially as she’d been told off for chewing the side of the sofa, the wooden frames, the shoes, the telephone cable, the mobile phone, socks and anything else that smelt nice.

Poochie, feeling a sudden sadness overtake her, nuzzled her nose under Mother’s arm. She knew that something wasn’t right and, now that she was closer, Mother looked like she’d had her favourite ice-cream taken away from her, despite really, really, stretching as much as possible to get another lick from the container.

In one mighty movement, Poochie felt the floor zoom away as Mother lifted her from the garden. A second zoomed past her eyes as the door closed and the inside place appeared again. She didn’t mind being carried as it felt safe, protected, especially when the big slobbering dog from over the fence appeared. She didn’t like that dog, as it smelt of barbecue sauce and pigs ears.

Mother eventually sat onto the soft human bed, still holding her close. Poochie knew that something wasn’t quite right, so provided a few nose licks which, more often than not, helped get belly rubs.

Poochie could see Mother’s smile appear, as she felt her fur being stroked. This, to Poochie, was the absolute best thing ever. She loved her Mummy and, as she relaxed, she heard the words,

“If only humans were as innocent, loving and as beautiful as you!”

Poochie sneezed, sending snot and slobber everywhere, as her Mother continued to speak,

“…but with none of that. Ugghhh!”

Grey

Daniel’s mind woke, groggy, his brain banging against the side of his skull as he allowed the light into his eyes. He blinked a few times, not quite knowing why, or how, his skull had managed to find the pain currently pounding away. He lowered his head, wincing slightly, as his thoughts finally realised that he was strapped to a wooden chair. He tried to move his arms, then legs, as the situation became all too real.

Adrenaline started to move through his body, as his mind tried to convince itself that this was still a dream, one of those fantastical films, whilst actually understanding that the situation was happening. He stopped moving, for a few seconds, just to listen and think. He could hear the wind chimes, across from him, gently create their own rhythm as he looked left, then right, taking in the surrounding area. He was trapped inside an old shed, the area seemingly familiar to him, but not remembered as much as he’d have liked.

He moved his arms again, testing the bonds, which consisted of four old leather belts. With one around each arm, securing him to the chair’s arm rests, the other two secured his legs to the lower parts of the chair. He’d scream, shout for help but, somehow, he didn’t think that it would do him any good. Whomever took him hostage didn’t see fit to bond his mouth which, to Daniel, could mean only one thing. A remote location. No chance of a casual passer by hearing him.

His head, still pounding and made worse by the adrenaline coursing through his body, made his heart race. He wanted to do something, to shout, with his body tensing as much as possible in an effort to escape his bonds. The chair, although seemingly old to his eyes, was made of stern craftsmanship, unlike the modern chairs of the current day. He shook himself, the frustration rising within, the incarceration becoming all too real. He stopped moving, his breathing fast, heart still racing, as he heard a door open behind him.

He looked left, then right, as much as he could, the high-backed chair ensuring that his view remain limited. A few seconds blinked in front of his eyes, as he glanced over the roughly thrown tools and various mechanical items upon the wall mounted bench. He had seen this place before, once, or maybe twice, but he couldn’t quite recall.

From his side a figure appeared, as Daniel’s eyes immediately glued themselves to the person stepping into view. His mouth fell open as he recognised the person.

“Don’t be shocked boy, this day had to come!” said the figure.

Daniel tried to find words, any words, to express his confusion but instead found a silence that confused him. His breathing calmed a little, as all attention moved to his thoughts. He hadn’t seen this man, her Father, for over four years and now he was here in front of Daniel.

“Wha…” Daniel started to speak but, as the word fell from his mouth, the man spun around and struck Daniel with a large twenty-four-inch spanner. His head violently flew to the side, the pain flaring within his mind, as his neck fell limp. Blood, slowly, started to trickle from within his mouth as he held his eyes closed. The pain stabbed him, crushed him, as he remained completely silent. He waited, holding the pain away from him as much as possible, as tears appeared from his eyes. He’d only felt pain such as this a few times in his life.

The moment, eventually, eased a little and Daniel looked up towards the man. Daniel was the type of person that wanted answers, for an action or intention, but right at this moment all he had was pain and anger within his eyes. He looked at the man, her Father, taking in all of the detail of his face. He looked like hell, a haunted man, with dark shades around his eyes and lines upon his face from the lack of sleep. Then, everything clicked, as he realised why he was sat in the chair. He knew exactly why this was happening and there was, more than likely, nothing he could say or do to change the situation.

Daniel closed his mouth, the defiance rising within him, partly accepting the thoughts within his mind. If he were to be tortured, to be brutally beaten, he’d try his utmost best not to provide this man, the man in front of him, any satisfaction. What had happened was not his fault. None of it or, maybe, all of it.

The man turned away, to place his hands upon the bench, as he sighed and shook his head. All Daniel could do was watch, as the Father picked-up a small claw hammer. He braced himself and, all at once, allowed his mind to drift away from this place. He just wanted to see her smile once again.

He’d sworn to let her go, to abandon her, despite her name appearing somewhere within his thoughts each day of the week. She was, to him, everything. She was the light within his life, that person that seemingly filled a void within him. He’d spent years of his time searching, waiting, wondering if he’d ever find someone that would truly understand him. Top to bottom. Inside as well as the obvious outside. Her smile, whenever she appeared next to him, warmed his heart like no other had done in all of his years of life but, as with many moments, places and people, there were imperfections and cracks under the surface.

He accepted her for who she was, what she was, as his own imperfections were rare broken trophies to give, to lend, to exclaim and present to someone he loved more than life. As a smile appeared upon his face, the hammer struck his small toe. He let go of the pretence, the bravado and screamed at the top of his lungs. The pain embraced him as his body shook and tried to escape. He held her image within his mind, her beautiful face giving him hope that he’d escape this place.

A minute, two minutes, moved away from him as his foot throbbed with pain. His tears, still streaking down his face, as his fear, anger, confusion and any other emotion mixed themselves together. Finally, he spoke again, knowing the very answer to his question,

“Why are you doing this?”

The man spun round, placing his hands onto Daniel’s arms and, with his face directly in front of his, spat his words, “You know damn well why I’m doing this, you took her away from me!”

Daniel wanted to defend himself, but a part of him wondered if he could have done more, said more, or been more. She was his partner, but she was also this man’s daughter. He lowered his head again, as the man walked behind the chair. The pain, still encompassing every single part of him, started to ease ever so slightly.

Daniel watched as the man returned, the shock of the events finally overcoming his confused mind. He watched as the man placed a shot gun in front of Daniel, sat upon a crudely created stand. After a few more seconds, the man placed a small amount of cord around Daniel’s left hand.

“You know what to do!” said the man, as he moved away from the chair as well as Daniels view. He heard the door open, then slam shut, leaving him alone. He looked down the barrel of the shotgun, the grief once again returning to his mind. He’d done his crying, his penance and shame and doubt being all too obvious, until the day he’d finally come to terms with the events of his past. What was done, was done. He clenched his left hand, wondering if he should slowly wrap the cord around his fingers and gently pull the trigger. The hammer would be his final judgement, his release from the world.

Joe walked away from the garage, walking up the ever so slightly slanted green grassed field. He, seemingly, had no regrets over what had just taken place and, as he turned to sit by the old tree, he glanced back to the garage. What was done, was just that. He would not regret the moment. He was, overall, a man that did what he did with emotion being something that he simply did not have time for. His Father before him, teaching him many a lesson with the end of a solid boot.

He wanted his daughter back, his baby, his most precious achievement in his vacant, solitary and lonely world. Daniel had taken her from him. From the small distance, he heard the shotgun go off, a single bang followed by silence. Joe lowered his head, his task finally done. Over with. He searched within him, trying to feel, to hold onto anything he could find within him. Instead, her image presented itself as it had done a million times. His baby girl. Gone. No more. He recalled holding her hand, as a child, which was the closest he’d ever managed to feel anything in his god forsaken life.

He witnessed her beautiful smile the last time he hugged her, wishing and begging for whatever deity would listen, to bring her back. Instead, he heard the garage door bang shut and, as he raised his head, saw Daniel walk slowly from the garage. He had parts of the chair still strapped to his legs and arm. Joe knew that his actions would have consequences and, like his Father had said, he’d stand tall and take whatever waited for him like a man.

Daniel focused, seeing Joe off in the distance. He turned slightly, starting to weakly walk towards the man. That man. The person that had made his life a living hell for many, many months, despite the situation already being the most crushing emotional time of his life. He’d tried reason, he’d judged himself in front of everyone but nothing, absolutely nothing could or would change Joe’s outlook on events. Joe blamed Daniel for everything and, despite the events being re-lived millions of times within Daniel’s mind, there would be no escape from Joe’s judgement.

To Daniel, Joe was a stern man, a straight-talking man, the white being white and the dark being ever so dark. Joe was a man that would never forgive someone, anyone, once crossed. At first, Daniel had to jump through hoops to gain the man’s trust in order to date his Daughter but, finally upon a sunlit day, her Father had agreed. It was the happiest he’d ever see her, his Joanne. Their Joanne.

Joe watched Daniel inch ever closer, recalling the day that he agreed to his Daughter’s wishes. He knew that she had issues, most likely caused by his own actions, but he had a glimmer of hope that Daniel would help in his own special way. He knew that Daniel was a good young man, a gentle and kind man, yet his own protective, stagnant nature simply wished to protect his little girl. ‘All girls grew up’, his then wife would say, but that still didn’t mean that he’d let go. He’d be her Father until the end. Protecting, helping, holding her hand in any way he could until he himself left this place. None of what happened was supposed to happen.

Daniel inched ever forward, each step sending a striking pain into his leg and mind. He wouldn’t stop. He wouldn’t give in as this time, finally, would be his moment to say what he should have said many, many years previous. A few more steps, a few more moments and, finally, he reached Joe. Daniel threw the shotgun to the ground, his breathing thanking him for finally stopping. His body shook, the events threatening to break his body with pure exhaustion, but before then he would say what was needed to be said.

He braced himself, pausing for a second, before he started to speak, “Look at me!” he commanded. Joe kept his head down. “Look at me!” he asked again, pleading with Joe. Slowly, Joe looked up, staring at Daniel. A small gasp escaped from Daniel’s breath as he watched a small tear fall from Joe’s eye. He’d never seen such a thing, even at the funeral. Joe was not a man to feel emotion. Either way, no matter the moment, Daniel had to speak the truth. He steadied himself, holding Joe’s gaze.

“Don’t you dare blame me for what happened! You knew how she felt before I even arrived. I tried to help but nothing I said changed anything. Through the darkness I held her hand each day. Every single day when she cried, or just stared out of the window,” Daniel stopped, feeling the pain inside rise within him, the tears finding his eyes, “Do you know how it feels to be helpless? Of course you do. You can change your own life but when it comes to someone you love, feeling that they’re trapped within their own head, there’s nothing you can say or do!”

Daniel stumbled backwards slightly, as his body tried to find the energy to remain upright, “She saw no purpose in her life. You and me, we can overlook that and get on with things. She couldn’t. I said to Joanne, on that last day before I left to get food, that so many people find a reason to die, yet all we ever needed was one reason to live! I asked her. I held her hand. I asked her, ‘do you have anything worth living for?’ and she replied, ‘no’. No emotion. None.”

Daniel felt his heart break again, remembering the words and seeing her broken eyes within his mind, “Do you know how much that hurt me, knowing that the way I felt meant nothing to her? That nothing I could do would change anything? I felt destroyed. But that didn’t matter. As love finds a way. Doesn’t it, Joe! Love finds a way!”

Daniel cried, his heart falling to pieces within him as he continued. Joe, still staring straight at Daniel, listened.

“Then I went out. I did what was needed. I came back and I found her, Joe, I found her on the floor. Cut. Dead. Gone. No more. Every part of me died with her on that day. Every part. I’ve never been the same. Neither have you. So how dare you ask me to take my own life for your guilt. Neither of us are trained to deal with how she felt. We were to blame and at the same time, it’s not our fault. No black. No white. It’s grey Joe, all just grey.”

Daniel turned from Joe, walking away slowly. No more words. He wouldn’t waste any further time on guilt, loss or pain. Since that day he’d tried to help as many people he could, he’d trained, understood, descended to the depths of depression and learnt so very, very much about himself and others. He’d risen, creating a new person from whatever was left inside him. He didn’t wish to blame Joe for his actions as, he knew, Joe would judge himself in his own black and white way.

As Daniel walked, stumbling a few times and wincing from the missing toe, he heard a loud bang from behind. The second cartridge.  Daniel stopped, for a few seconds, eyes closed, before continuing forward. He could hear Joe, sobbing, behind him, knowing that he’d eventually, hopefully, find some sort of peace. He wished that Joe would his find his Daughter’s memory again, within the grey area of life. He wished it could have been another way, he’d wished that he could have actually helped Joe, but the years of bitterness and constrained emotion, had finally found its way into the Black, the White, as well as the grey world, they all lived within.

Entwined

She felt him, against her, his arm around her chest as his calm breath gently exhaled across her neck. She moved the collated sheets closer, embracing them, holding them, ensuring she retained the warmth that she’d so desperately needed. The ecstasy, the calm finding her and, seemingly informing her to never, ever, let go.

She was one of the strong ones, the type that held her life together as her last bastion of health, wealth and more. She’d survived, despite the efforts of others as well as some of her sick, twisted, defiantly ignorant ex partners. This place, these minutes, she wished and wanted to exist for forever and a day. She’d smile, if she needed to do so as, instead, her entire body, mind and possibly soul, glowed with the prospect of actually finding a person that complimented her.

She could hear him, feel him, the near silence hardly escaping the fact that he warmed her in each and every single way. She’d pinch herself to see if this were real but, instead, she’d happily make do with a dream made real. Simplicity, effortless, the calm within the world’s storm, surrounding her.

She’d turn, to utter words of faith, love, unity and whatever else she managed to find. Instead, she continued to simply bask within this safe place surrounding her. She wasn’t a fool, a person to grasp a fake request of trust, or to boldly throw herself into a moment of dishevelled embraces. This situation resolved a near lifetime of struggle. The ups, the downs, the ever-present desire to simply be understood and listened to. She asked for little, yet he, this person, asked for nothing but her time without the heavy notion of moving too fast.

For once, she believed. Him, the emotion, the words used, the faces made and the love to be played. He calmed her inner demon, that constant voice that asked her to dissolve any notions of grandeur. She didn’t need him as instead, she simply, enthusiastically, wanted him. A man, to her mind and heart, should never bring instability. She’d had enough of that within her daily world. The kids, the work, the chores and bores of the constant friend interjection. She simply, easily, just wanted someone to have her back and to bring the calm.

He said and did what he should say, with none of those silly little games that she herself played. She often missed the arguments, the ups and downs of those long-forgotten players, but this man behind her refused to play into such fantastical meanderings. He wasn’t with her to create chaos, instability, or the never-ending winding road of the usual written and scripted play. He was with her, to add his support to her life. She’d pinch him, push him, just to see if he were real, but instead she simply snuggled back that little bit further.

They were, firmly, finally after all of her time and energy, as well as failings and failures, entwined.

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Windows

Daniel placed his hand onto the window, feeling, noticing the cold surface connecting him to something other than his own mind, body and soul. He felt the temperature change, as the mist formed around his hand from his warmth being freely given. His focus moved from his hand, to the sights outside of the window.

He’d looked through this window a thousand times, maybe even more, but he’d never actually stopped to focus. The silence surrounding him, the lack of movement chilling his thoughts, as he felt his very heart ache. He wasn’t an overly emotional person, stoic even, but the last few weeks had taught him a few valid lessons.

He knew patience, he’d experienced that very word throughout his life, waiting, wondering, whittling away his thoughts until another appeared or something processed. He was used to this or, seemingly, always thought that he was. He genuinely missed human contact. He went to work, he travelled home, yet that contact wasn’t enough.

Daniel continued holding his hand against the glass, watching the street in front of him. He watched as a stray dog, looking like the happiest animal in the world, trotted past the window on the other side of the street. The dog’s tongue, hanging out of its mouth, flapped around with its tail mildly wagging, probably off on another adventure or hopefully on the way home. A few seconds vanished, as a starling landed onto the wall just in front of him. Its head, darting, moving from side to side, probably enjoying the fact that the outside world mainly remained silent.

He smiled, a sad smile, knowing very well that the very things he’d obviously taken for granted, were suddenly restricted. He asked nothing from no-one yet, at this point, he would gladly ask any of his friends, or all of them, for their company. Their time. Within a connected world he was, brutally, disconnected from so much. The digital communication available was a lifeline, yet still seemed distant.

He smiled, laughing to himself, knowing very well that he didn’t really see many of them anyway. It was, to him, all about choice. Confined, resigned, to the instructions and orders of others. The basics, the portions of life, that were the normal occurrences since the very day he opened his eyes as a baby.

Daniel removed his hand from the window, watching, as the ghostly imprint slowly faded. His mark, upon the window, vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. He knew that each of them, every single individual, left a similar mark upon each person they met upon any given day. He wanted to see everyone again, even the people he didn’t know. He wanted to smile at a stranger, to say hello, even if the other person simply wished not to return the moment.

From within rose sadness, his inner monologue rising to the surface, asking for him to do something. He didn’t wish to be a child asking the same question over and over, but sometimes a mind simply wanted the only answer it would accept. He moved from the window, feeling the vacant emotions rise within him, the loneliness, despite having a million and two things to do at any given moment.

He paused, reaching within, holding the growing feelings in his mind, exploring then, nurturing, developing the thoughts to deflect or resolve his inner situation. As his thoughts did what they did, beside him, his phone started to ring. It was the time he’d been waiting for, knowing very well the solace that it afforded his heart. He moved across the room, quickly, grasping his phone to answer. A quick finger swipe later and he heard their voices.

“What are you doing?” a voice asked him.

“Nothing much, just looking out of the window wishing to be out there!” he replied.

Various voices laughed, all knowing, all realising, that upon each day, they all had done the very same, simple, knowing thing. None of them had really realised how much the simple act of looking out of a window, or waiting for a call, would mean so very, very much.

Blind

Daniel listened to each and every single sound emanating from within the room, the nuance, every emotion and meaning. He’d always done this, ever since the very start of losing his sight. He recalled the months, ever so often, as he witnessed the events unfold before him. He was young, with tender emotions, but for some reason he embraced the life changing event with as much strength and understanding he could find.

He was around the age of 14, his life being one still surrounded by toys, adventures, as well as his own imagination creating such vivid stories that his parents would swear that he’d lived many, many previous lives. At first, as with many things, the small signs were there. The tunnel vision, the infrequent headaches, as well as the random emotional moments from his parents. He recalled the tests, the questions, as well as the near never-ending emotional spiral of the people around him.

On the last day, the very last day before his world fell into darkness, he held the picture of his Mother’s face within his mind and burned the image into his memory. He could picture her, right at this very moment, with but a thought. Even upon the day she’d left, holding her hand, he witnessed her smiling, caring, loving face throughout that unforgettable time of his life.

Daniel pushed the thoughts from the moment and returned to the present. Listening, wondering, excited about the transpiring events. Today would be a special day, a momentous day, even if it were to be for the shortest of minutes.

“Are you comfortable?” asked the nurse, as he felt his Wife’s hand touch his fingers. He held her hand in his, moving his head to face her, smiling, knowing what was about to hopefully happen. He could feel her smile, as well as the tension within her own body. He was attuned to her, connected, in a way that someone with actual sight may never appreciate. He listened to her breathing, sensed her trepidation, to which he squeezed her hand for a brief second.

He could also hear various people, hustling and bustling within the room, preparing and ready to move forward with the procedure. This was the day, the very singular day, that might just allow him to see for the first time in so many years. It wouldn’t be permanent, with the quoted time being minutes, but that was worth the pain and disturbance to his daily life. ‘Experimental’, they’d called it. He was, basically, a willing and eager participant.

He felt hands upon the sides of his head, gently moving him into some type of device, which would steady him through the procedure. He could hear his heart, ticking away, moving that bit faster with anticipation as his head was secured.

“Okay, Daniel, we’re about to place the two path finders just below your eyes. You will feel a small amount of discomfort, which will then allow us to stimulate your central retinal vein, as well as the optic disk.”

Daniel responded, ready, willing, possibly able as he reminded himself to stay grounded. It would be a temporary, transient, gift from whatever gods existed out there in the world.

The nurse placed her hand onto his shoulder and, gently, squeezed, “Ready?” Daniel responded once again, as he heard the button being pressed. A second escaped from the silent room, with all breathing and noises seemingly vanishing within the expectant moment. Then, all at once, he felt the mild sensation and moderate pain from the back of each eye. He wanted to move away, raise his hands to protect himself, but there was nothing to protect as the pain was from within. He pressed his head against the head brace, pressing his teeth together as the second stretched to three seconds. Four. Then five.

Another second appeared then vanished, as the pain stopped, and the two path finders moved from his skin. He could, once again, hear his wife’s breath. Stoic, also expectant and hopeful, as he closed his eyes. The nurse removed the head restraint as Daniel firmly kept his eyes closed. He felt the fear grow from within, the odd feeling rising from nowhere, as the thought of seeing again scared him to death. The very thing he’d wanted, despite accepting his life placement, could possibly be his again.

He blinked, feeling the sensation of sight, as the light from the room entered his eyes. The nurse, to the side of him, placed dark glasses over his eyes for protection.

“Please gently open your eyes, so they can adjust!”

He heard the words. Embraced them. Holding them close as he gently opened his eyes. He moved his head back, just a little, as the room formed in front of him. It worked. It had worked. He felt the overwhelming emotion rise from within, the fear vanishing, as his heart pounded against his chest. He’d thought about this day for months, wondering what he would do and, at that second, he remembered.

He’d never once, since the day they’d met, seen each other. The woman that married him, the person that held him, that made love with him, was right by his side and, despite the world being a place that he’d dreamt of seeing again, he’d decided to be realistic and to embrace this one chance to see her. He had felt the trepidation of the moment, but life itself was never to be feared when you simply could not see.

He blinked another few times, as he felt doubt rise from within him but, instead, he pushed the thoughts aside and turned his head to see her. His Emily, his wife, his partner, his everything within his world. He focused, her eyes being the first eyes he’d seen since his childhood days. Her image, her full face, her hair and her smile registered within his mind and within seconds he felt the tears appear. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing, the person standing right next to his bed, the very individual that had married him and stayed beside him for the longest time.

Emily leaned forward, placing her other hand against his cheek, her own tears starting to form, “You can see me!” 

Daniel nodded, his ever-growing smile beaming from his face, until his own fears appeared within his mind. “You’re so beautiful! The most beautiful person I’ve seen. Why would you stay with me when I cannot see you?”

Emily, placing her forehead against his, whispered her reply, “Every day I hear you, I feel you, despite the fact that you cannot see, you’ve never wavered and you’ve stood tall. Even when lost you’ve remained calm. You’re every bit the man I’ve wanted since the day I met you and you have always, always, proven that you love me!” She moved her head away from his, returning to gently kiss his lips, as she continued to reply with the thoughts she’d held within for years, “I made a choice to marry you, to be with you, and I knew that I was making the right choice. You only had half a choice. I could look like anyone, yet you wanted to be with me. I’ve always wondered if you would like me, if you ever saw me. I’ve always wanted to know if you’d love me for how I looked and not because of the way I sound or feel.”

Daniel continued to look at her, with all the strength he could find to continue focussing. He studied the curves upon her face, her nose, the glowing hair and the motion of her lips as she spoke. He needed to remember her image. For forever and a day.

“Why don’t you have a look outside?” she asked with genuine inquisitiveness.

Daniel, standing from the bed, placed his hands into hers as he replied, “I don’t care about what’s out there. I only have a few minutes to see you and I want to spend that time looking at you. You mean the most to me in this entire world!  I’ve always dreamt of how you’d look. Your beautiful hair, your smile.”

The seconds escaped the both of them as they talked, as they laughed, until Daniel felt a sensation at the back of his eyes. He felt his focus start to fade, as her image fell away to the black emptiness again. He tried to grasp at the remaining seconds, to hold her face within his mind, forcing whatever life that had been restored, to stay another second. Emily could see his face change, from one of joy, to the cold realisation and loss of something so very, very precious. It had worked. They had all accomplished what they’d set out to create, with the cold ending being realised.

Daniel smiled a small, quick smile, being as brave as he could as he reached behind him to find the bed. He stepped back, sitting, relaxing his body as he came to terms with the events of the last few minutes. A miracle, of sorts, with the bittersweet ending becoming as real as the images that he’d just witnessed.

Emily stepped forward, placing his head against her chest, “All I ever need is to feel and hear your heart. You have always felt right, to me. Always!”

Daniel raised his head a little, embracing her warmth, as he replied, “Well, you know what they say, love is blind. Always will be!”

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