Weathered

The hollow ache in her chest swelled as Tess carefully watched the deserted landscape. Her heart fluttered dramatically as rich sunset tones crept over the mountain range. Such a beautiful sight for a land so dead. Thunder rolled in the distance but it wouldn't rain, not now. The glow of the full moon was already casting odd shadows in the dusky light and the air was cooling. She tugged at the sleeve hems to cover more skin, usually they were rolled up for the heat, but she was always prepared; the weather here was unpredictable. With a sigh, Tess let her fingers reach out past the shadow line to the remnant of warm sunshine before she turned away.

She wasn't so caught off guard when her chest seized and her lungs caught, the invasive sensation had her crumbling to her knees in a dizzy wave of black spots and skewed buildings.

...

The grit of concrete dust and sand dug into her limbs and forehead from the sort of fetal position she found herself splayed in across the rooftop. Breath gasped into aching lungs and numb fingers clenched in pain. As consciousness crept back along her limbs there was an overwhelming sense of agony and loneliness. Lines of tears cut paths through grime caked cheeks and a metallic tang coated her mouth. Chills wracked her form suddenly, like a blanket being ripped from you or someone pulling from a warm embrace, leaving you exposed to the harsh cold. Heaving, braids trailing in the filth she'd collapsed in, Tess tried to ease up. Finally, back resting somewhat against the ledge of the building and she fought to control her reeling mind. It was bad tonight.

As if it couldn't get any worse, a fat droplet of rain splattered against the ground, sending debris flying. The last dregs of sunlight were drowning in the night sky overhead. How long had she been out?

Shoes scraping the concrete, she forced herself upright and staggered towards the dilapidated entrance to the apartment complex. Inside it was just as dusty and barren. There were maybe half a dozen habitable rooms and only one she could spend any time in, the others caused her head to pound and vision to get fuzzy. A brush of fur as a greeting and the bedraggled orange tabby who shared her apartment welcomed her with a raspy meow. He served as the only comfort in this world. As torrents of rain bombarded the building and slipped through the cracks in the roof, she held him close. The cool metal of his tag brushed skin and she thumbed it fondly. Rain tapped steady rhythms in the buckets and bowls strewn across the floor and rivulets streamed down the walls. Tears welled in hazel eyes and ran freely across the freckles on her cheeks as pain gripped with its jagged fingers. Dragon curled into her side and she stroked the dusty coat, grateful that tonight was one that his presence comforted the hollowness. There was no one else. No laughter hung in the air, no quiet whispers of delighted speech… It was barren and empty now. The rain came in droves like a monsoon, but it always faded away, leaving the ground just as dry. The buildings, what few remained, continued to crumble.

The bunk bed creaked as she tossed in fits and Dragon's amber eyes patiently lifted and fell as he dozed, accustomed to the sleeplessness. Nights were always the longest.

…

Something had changed. Tense uncertainty had her focus drawn to each noise, everything was suddenly unfamiliar. Were those trails of sound snaking through the corners? Was it voices? Shuffling sounds of dead leaves stirred up by faint breezes that hadn't been there yesterday had peculiar feelings prickling her senses. What had happened?

Tess's next surprise came again with the wind as the peaceful whiff of rain swelled in her lungs, taking in as much as her chest could hold until it twinged from the strain. When was the last time she had actually smelled rain?

As she passed by the decaying play yard, longing eyes stared at the swing sets creaking ever so gently. Her steps ascended the apartment stairwell until the fading writing of number 236 appeared. Dragon was inside as usual and chirped a happy sound. Tess furrowed her brows at the usually solemn feline, but he brushed her feet gently, all too prepared for the impending episodes.

There was no downpour, no ceaseless bombardment… just the void in her breast, the restlessness, the longing… she drew in a shaky breath, gripped herself in an embrace, and rode the waves of emotion and pain.

…

The air was lighter and wind swirled and played. She hadn't left the apartment in days, but curling in the closet wasn't helping. Patches of green were blinding with their beauty, simple and small though they were. She felt the pull of hope singing in her chest, unwilling to be ignored. Dragon would have to come. Wiping her hands nervously on tattered pants, the western sky loomed large before her.

She pushed the door open to the apartment and looked down at the ginger tomcat in the doorway. "Let's go." Blinking slowly, the cat raised up onto his haunches and stretched. Stepping aside so Dragon could pad by her, he waltzed smoothly out, as if this wasn't the first time he had ever tried to leave the small area they called home. Though, as she watched the furry form navigate the hallways and corridors once they headed out, it caused her to wonder if Dragon had perhaps tried to explore. Not that she could blame him. He'd make up for his confinement now, though. One could only wonder if he could remember before.

…

Days passed. Each step towards their destination brought forth change. It was good, it was bad, it was different. Dragon kept pace easily, bounding tirelessly beside her, collar jingling. There were forests again. Leaves brought vivid color where her existence had been drowning in drab dusty tones. In some ways, though, it wasn't so nice. Heavy rains still stormed through, only now, though less frequent and often shorter, it tended to catch her by surprise. The cloud bursts thundered in, angry and violent sometimes, and gentle and soothing others. It was more difficult to escape now, but it forced them to take their time.

Soon Tess found herself shedding the tattered clothes she'd thrown on for protection and comfort so long ago and donned a more comfortable sundress. Dragon pranced ahead and batted kittenishly at leaves and flowers. As faint wafts of salt filled her nose, she paused; halting mid-step and disturbing the cadence of their strides. Ahead the prancing halted as well with an annoyed, yet questioning, flick of his striped tail.

"We'll wait here for the night." Was the response, which seemed to be satisfying. Dragon promptly found an old tree by their invisible path and rubbed himself along the bark.

…

The sun shone harshly and she squinted at the sky. In the distance a blue house rested on stilts to withstand the waves of the rolling ocean that crashed and tumbled in a miraculous chorus before her. Laughter tumbled from her mouth and tears sparkled in her eyes, but sadness had no place amidst the joy in her heart. They were broken, yes, but with a dramatic sweep, she scooped her cat up and twirled. Shoes were long forgotten and her toes dug into the thick sand caked together by the tide. Annoyed cat face pressed against hers, Tess gazed into the tear streaked, smiling face mirrored back past the clouds, identical to hers, if a little older.

…

It was the first time Marissa had dared open the locket in years. The strands of Auburn hair tucked inside tugged her mouth into a sad smile at the young girl framed in the metal heart. She huffed at Dragon, squished against Tess's delighted face, he was much younger then. From the bench beside her, tired amber eyes lifted at the sound.

"I know buddy, she drug us both out there that day, she wanted that picture so bad…"

Hand pressed roughly across her chest, she tried to soothe the physical strain. Losing someone hurt, but losing the other half of you, a twin, was something different. Marissa swore she could still feel Tess sometimes, watching from somewhere beyond behind their favorite hangouts, like the old park swings or the rooftop of the old apartments. But it was here at the beach where she knew her sister was with her, always. Shutting the heart shaped locket, Marissa kept it in her hands, grateful for its warmth and the solid weight of the ornamented metal. She'd worn it even when it had physically hurt to have it on. There was no way she could have taken it off, not when it almost felt like Tess was with her, inside.

..End..