Ghosts of Alara

Fated Union

This is the story of how I met the woman of my dreams on the worst day of my life.

I was done. Defeated. I'd lost everything I cared about - my girl, my career, my friends. I got low. Real low. Decided it was over. Time to go. Just had to decide how.

I'd always been a bit of a showman. I liked attention. Fed off of it, really. So, originally, I wanted to make a show of it. I wanted it to be a grand production; my final curtain. But, then...I dunno. I lost interest in the show. Besides, everyone I cared to have see it had all stopped watching, by then. So, why bother? So, I opted to bow out, quietly; off stage and out of sight. Just like I already was.

I couldn't do it in the city; not if I wanted to be quiet about it. I still wanted an element of ceremony and, I didn't want some white knight trying to "save my life". If I was gonna do it quietly, it had to be in isolation. I'd also need the right tool for the job. So, I did some research.

I googled "how to tie a noose". Google did their usual obligatory support rubbish. 1st couple results were suicide hotlines and shit like that. Even after scrolling past all that mess and finding the how-to page, I still had to see the hotline number at the top. I ignored that, followed the instructions, and tied my knot. Done. I grabbed the folding chair I used for gaming and threw it and the rope in the back seat. Now, I just needed the right spot. So, I drove north.

I found this dense wooded area about an hour out of the city. Type of place where the trees kept the wind in check and you could hear wild rodents shuffle through the leaves from yards away.

Perfect.

I parked the car on the side of the road and left the keys with a note that said, "I won't need it, where I'm going." I took the rope and the stool from the back and started off. I walked into the woods, absentmindedly strolling until I found a tree with a good strong but low branch.

"Here," was all I said, to no one at all.

I slung the rope over the branch and tied it down, tight. I set the chair in place below the noose and looked up at it. Then, just as I went to step up and finish the job, I heard the scream...

It was a sharp and desperate cry, but it was quickly muffled. So, I listened closer. I could hear the rustling; leaves and sticks being shuffled around by some flailing thing. I left my rope slung and followed the sound.

I knew I was going the right way when the whimpering and weighty breaths joined the rustling leaves. Something - or someone - was struggling. I slowed down my approach. If it was some beast, I didn't wanna scare it. And, if it was what it sounded like, I didn't wanna give away my position. But, once I came up on the scene, I realized I didn't have to be quiet.

And, that I was right.

Her tiny feet kicked and her slender legs writhed from beneath him. One white low heel had lost its foot. The other was about to. One tiny white arm was pinned to the earth while the other clawed hopelessly at his denim jacket

I didn't think. I ran up on the guy from behind. I yanked him off her and tried my best to chuck him into the tree next to me. He shook loose before I could slam him, but he wasn't quick enough to dodge my side kick. 20 years of fighting games and action films all culminated in my right foot mashing into his gut and knocking him into the tree.

That felt cool.

It was around then when the thought crossed my mind that this might just be some kinky rape fantasy shit and I just Bruce Lee kicked this chick's boyfriend. But the look on her face put that theory to rest, quick. It was a mixture of horror and relief that battled for control of her eyes. But, it told the story. She wished she wasn't here; and she was glad I was.

For a quick second, I got a glance at more of her. Smooth face, pretty eyes, long blonde hair messed up by the struggle, conservative white dress that looked straight out of the 50s, and that's about all I got before Tough Guy tackled me from behind. He took me to the ground fast, but I used the momentum to flip him. We tussled and, I was smarter, but he was stronger. And, on the ground, stronger wins. He got back on top and, before I knew it, his hands were at my throat. I clawed at his face to try and get him off but, he was in full feral mode and, by the smell of his breath, piss drunk. So, he didn't seem to feel shit I was doing.

Then, I heard the THOK! I saw his face go blank and barely dodged as he slumped over, revealing the girl behind him with a thick but short broken branch in hand.

"Felt that shit!", I said. Then, I looked up as the girl fell to her knees. I got to my feet and pulled her to hers. I dusted her off a bit and waited til she looked steady.

"You good, darlin'?" I asked.

She nodded shakily before answering in the softest Midwestern twang I'd ever heard.

"Yes. Thanks to you." She paused to catch her breath. Here eyes were full of wonder and warmth. Couple weeks before, I'd've gotten lost in those. She evened out and parted those soft looking lips. "Who are you?"

"Nobody," I answered, unconsciously avoiding eye contact. I turned away. "Take care, now," I said over my shoulder. "Be mindful who you dance with, next time, k?"

I walked a couple steps back toward my noose when I heard her following me.

"Wait. Wait!" She huffed as she struggled to juggle keeping pace and replacing her shoe. "At least allow me to thank you."

I didn't look back. Just kept walking as I replied.

"You did that, already."

"Why do you say you're nobody? That can't be how you...oh..."

She saw it. I'd forgotten it actually wasn't that far from where I'd found her. I'd hoped she'd go away before I got to it. But, she saw it, dangling ominously, awaiting its victim. Awaiting me.

What she did next bugged me out; caught me right off guard. She ran around to be in front of me. Her face was stern, but...soft. She looked like a mom watching her kid apologize for dropping a plate; a mix of pity and invitation that just...hit. I moved to pass her but she mirrored me, her face unchanged. She stood firmly between me and my condemnation and, in six words, changed my whole perspective:

"Can I make you some tea?"

Her place was immaculate. And, its vintage look matched her own. High ceilings, old furniture, a record player by the fireplace, and all in earthen browns and golden accents. Not a thing was out of place, from the neatly arranged bookshelf to the picturesque dining table setup. She must've seen me surveying her place cause, as she knelt down to remove my shoes - a move that legitimately surprised me - she opened with an explanation.

"My parents passed when I was a child." Her voice was so delicate and... proper. "I've lived with my grandparents ever since." She rose and started for the kitchen. "This is their home." She vaguely waved one hand in a gesture toward the house while the other fetched a kettle. She scurried about with both speed and grace. It was like watching a dance. She put the pot on and set the burner.

When she finally turned to me, she noticed I was still standing; still kinda in awe. She didn't even seem fazed. She walked over, pulled a chair out, and parted it for me to sit. I kinda wondered toward it as she went to the cabinet.

"Biscuit?" She offered.

"Um...yeah. Sure." I managed.

She pulled down a box and laid a few out on a saucer. Then, she sat across from me and just...waited. I nibbled on a biscuit while I tried to take in how much my day had shifted in just the last 20 minutes or so. And, she just sat there, hands in her lap, a content look on her face...waiting. After a few moments of silence, I finally spoke.

"I'm Jim, by the way."

"Laura."

Bit more silence.

"This is nice."

"I'm glad you like it. Do you need anything else?"

I was kinda taken by the question. Girl had just been attacked and she's checking on me? This was either pity or bait.

"You're already serving me tea and biscuits," I chuckled. "You're any nicer to me, I'm gonna assume it's a trap!" I tried to make it sound like a joke.

"Maybe I just think you need some kindness. Maybe, I just enjoy being it, for you."

There it was. Pity.

"Look, I--"

"Maybe, I just don't want you to feel alone," she interrupted, looking me dead in the eye.

I paused. Maybe it was the way her voice was gentle and firm at once. Maybe it was those eyes peering into my own. I dunno. But, I believed her. And, that was the scary part. But, I still had to be sure. I'd been down this path before, after all. One too many times.

"What makes you think I'm alone?"

"There are only two reasons I can think of for a healthy man to seek to end his own life: either he's ashamed or he's alone." She leaned forward as I looked away. Then, she took my cheek in her hand and... man, I dunno...everything sorta faded for a moment. She waited until I looked at her, again. "And, I know loneliness in a man's eyes, when I see it."

It was too much. I had to pull away; to break free of this...hold she so effortlessly had on me. No way was I falling for this, again. I had to put her off. I rose from my chair and turned away. Then, tougher now, I turned back.

"That what you saw in your boy, back there?" I tried to add a little salt to it. She didn't even blink.

"No," she replied, with a sigh. "He was my foolish attempt at being adventurous." This time, she looked away. "I wanted to explore a bit beyond the bubble I've been in for so long. I suppose he saw an opportunity in that and sought to take advantage." Her tone darkened a bit and, all the edge in me went dull. "It's my own fau--"

"No!" I interrupted. "Nope. Uh-uh. Not doing that." I ignored the perplexed look on her face and continued in my best Will Smith. "It is NOT your fault some boy decided not to respect your boundaries. Being naive is no excuse for someone to do...that."

As if to accentuate the tension in the room, the kettle began to whistle. She rose and poured two cups. She placed one in my spot and, in her most pleasant tone, asked, "Sugar?"

Why did she derail me, so easily? Why was I letting her have this?

"Yeah, please." I sat back down as she dropped cubes of sugar in, one by one, watching for my cue to stop. After a few, I gave it with a wave and she tended her own cup. I tried switching gears. "Shouldn't you be all...shaken up?"

She paused. She just put the sugar down, cupped her hands on the table, and paused. Then, she closed her eyes, took a breath, and looked at me with this...seriousness.

"I almost lost my dignity, today. You almost lost your life. You saved me from my peril without much consideration for your own. It would be indecent of me to do any less."

"But, that was differen--"

"Is it?" Just a hint of frustration. "Or are you just so afraid to be cared for that you would rather focus on the ugly that could've been, instead of the beauty that can be?"

"I... wait... what are you saying?"

"I'm saying I want to help. I can tell by the way you dress and talk that you're a far more worldly person than I am. I've always been safe here, but not much else. So, you can show me the world."

It was everything in me not to mention Aladdin! I resisted and let her finish.

"And, I can see that you are in pain. A kind of pain I may be able to heal." She stood and leaned on the table. "I am naive in some things, yes. But, not this. I see right through your attempt to rile me; to try to make me uncomfortable."

As she said this, she moved toward me. I started to lean away but, she was too fast. She had her hand on my thigh before I could think. Then, she knelt down before me, both hands in my lap, looking up toward me with the warmest eyes.

"But, you don't make me uncomfortable. And, if you let me in, maybe I won't either."

Against my will, the tear escaped my eye. It broke free and rolled down my cheek, betraying my composition. Exposed, I broke. My voice wavered as I could only manage four words.

"I don't know you."

She stood and looked down on me. It wasn't in judgement or contempt or even pity. It was another thing; a welcoming thing. It was an invitation. And, I took it. I pressed my head to her waist and she stroked it in her one hand while the other rubbed my back.

"You will, sweetheart. you will."