Song Bird

A cottage stood in a small clearing, hidden by the surrounding forest. It’s ivy choked bricks almost gleaming in the warm sun. Normally it’s the type of place one would stumble upon, but not for Wren. For her it was called home. She stood, studying the gleaming bricks wondering if she should enter. Once welcoming, it now stands ominous before her. Gathering her courage she took a step towards the home. Then another and another, slowly walking through the front garden and to the door. As she walked she held her hand out and ran it over the various flowers that she planted. That they planted. Her black sundress flowed sadly behind her. The whole scene looked like something from a fairytale. But this is real life. Finally she faced the door. It stood warm and confident in front of her. Gingerly she touched the iron handle and opened the door, letting it slowly swing open. The scene in front of her made her cry. It’s almost like nothing happened at all. Everything was exactly as she left it. The only difference was the echoing quiet. It wrapped around her very soul and dragged her down to the floor. It worked its way into her lungs and forced her to heave up a sob. It pushed tears out from her eyes, forcing them to fall faster than she wanted. It’s never been so quiet. She tried to fight it, to stand up and move on. She just couldn’t. Her red hair fell around her forming a veil, trying to hide the room before her. She felt ashamed and absolutely broken. So she sat there, not bothering to close the door, and screamed.

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It took her quite a while to pick herself up. By the time she did it was dark outside, and wolves started to bay at the moon. Finally she closed the door after considering letting the outside in. Her stomach gurgled angrily prompting her to go to the kitchen and eat something. She stopped abruptly in her path as she watched a stranger flip through a cookbook.

“Who are you?”

He looked up and smiled at her.

“Darling you know who I am.”

He walked to her as she backed away. Who is this man? She herself could not deny that he was handsome in every way. His eyes glistened in the light he seemed to be emitting. His soft features made his eyes that much more striking. A soft smile was spread across his lips in an attempt to calm her. Her heart still raced at the sight of him, even if she wasn’t scared. Gently he placed a hand on her cheek. She stared wide eyed at the man wondering what he’d do to her. His brows furrowed and his smile dipped into a pouty frown.

“Well this is no good. My darling has forgotten who I am.”

He stepped away from her and chuckled.

“Where are my manners? Stumbling into your humble home and not even introducing myself.” He extended his hand for her to shake. “My name is Elias.”

She looked at his hands. They were calloused and rough looking, almost like he worked with wood. She shook his hand shyly. “Wren.”

He smiled “Wren...what a beautiful name.” He raised her hand to his lip and planted a soft kiss on her doll like skin.

The warmth of his lips were welcoming to her. It was almost familiar, like this has happened before. Music started to play from their radio that sat untouched from the table. Elias looked at Wren with a look that sent butterflies to her stomach. He held out his hand and she took it with a smile. She didn’t know why but she felt completely safe and secure with him. He pulled her close leaving her a giggling mess as they danced around the kitchen. He spun her around and placed a hand on her waist when she came back to him. They smiled at each other continuing to dance almost erratically until a slow song came on, their song. They stopped to adjust themselves. He pulled her closer, practically hugging her. She held onto him and buried her head into his shoulder. They swayed slowly to the music, just enjoying each other. Every opportunity she had she breathed him in. She wanted to remember his scent, remember his smile, his laugh, his warmth. She was so afraid she would never see this beautiful stranger again. She heard him humming with the music and practically melted in his arms.

He chuckled “I miss nights like this.”

Confused, she opened her eyes only to find herself in her bed holding her pillow. Perhaps it was all a dream. She sighed.

“Oh but what a wonderful dream it was.”

She willed herself to get out of bed and start the day. This time there was no stranger in the kitchen, but the radio was nowhere to be seen. Wren didn’t pay much mind to the missing radio and continued about her morning. As her coffee brewed she gingerly touched the various tattoos she had. As her hand passed the tattoo of daffodils, she shuddered. New beginnings huh? That’s all she wanted, but it seems that the past always follows. She put a hand on her stomach and rubbed it in small circular motions as she talked to herself. She heard a noise in the spare room snapping her out of her daze. Cautiously she walked to the room, It was Elias.

“Oh hey darling! Sleep well?”

He seemed to be moving boxes.

“What is this for?”

“I figured we should make this a nursery. I know that you aren’t sure about anything yet, but I thought I could get a head start.”

“What are you talking about I never-”

She cut herself off. No he doesn’t have to go.

“Never what song bird?”

Her breath hitched. It’s been a while hasn’t it. All of this was becoming confusing and overwhelming to her. All of this felt so strange. I never had the chance.

He cocked his head to the side and stared at her quizzically. Wren had started to cry.

“What’s wrong darling?”

“D-Don’t call me that. The only person that was allowed to call me that is gone.”

“Song bird….”

“AND THAT! Please please don’t”

She started to sob pathetically holding onto herself. Elias grew quiet as he sadly smiled at his darling.

“I am right here.”

She threw up her head and angrily glared at him.

“No.”

He stepped closer

“No.”

He put his arms around her, but there was nothing. She felt nothing. Down at her feet their radio garbled nonsense then died. The hammer in her hand fell to the floor with a hard clunk. Her body started to shake in frustration.

“NOOOOOOOO”

She screamed ripping into her throat that used to sing such pretty songs. Coming out of her angry state she gasped at what she had done.

“Wait no please...please come back.” she started to sob “Please.”

“I can’t do this without you.”

“And I thought you had forgotten me.”

She turned around and sure enough there he was. She fell into him holding onto what she could.

“I love you my song bird, my darling, my shining sun, my moon goddess. But you know that I'm not really here.”

“Don’t say that. You are as real as the earth I walk on.”

He shook his head and pulled away from her. He cupped her cheek and planted a soft kiss on her lips. A plump tear rolled down her cheek as she tried to take in the warmth for the last time.

“I love you. I am always here with you. I promised to never leave you, and that’s a promise I will keep. But you need to move on. Know that you love me, and go on to love someone new.”

He placed a hand on her stomach before walking out of the room and down the hallway. She desperately chased after him, but he was gone. That was the last time Wren saw her beloved Elias.