• Crimson. I hated the color more than almost anything else in the world. It was everywhere, the hue stained the floor, splattered across the walls in angry arcs, and pooled around the body that lay crumpled at their feet. The striking oceans in her doe eyes, darkened forever by the touch of death. They took her from me. My sorrow burned at my eyes, begging to be released. But like every other time, I subdued it. I stared at the contorted body thrown haphazardly to the ground. I wanted to go to her. I wanted to apologize. I wanted to hold her, to hear her laugh. It was a sound that I would never have the pleasure of hearing again.

    Footsteps echoed off the concrete of the floor, bouncing off the walls and back to my ears. Black dress shoes came into view, drips of blood sliding down the polished leather, back onto the floor. I shuddered slightly, my hands balled into tight fists as I closed my eyes. My stomach turned violently, as my heart slammed against my chest.

    “Well, that was unfortunate wasn’t it? She was such a pretty girl too.” I heard the ruffle of fabric, before I felt the heat from his body. His cologne was earthy but soothing. Much like his voice, it had a warm embracing quality about it. “What was her name?”

    My lips pulled back just slightly as I spoke through clenched teeth. “Her name is Ariel.”

    “Oh my, she’s doing it again love. Speaking of the dead as if they are still with us in the present.” My mother’s chime-like voice filled the air. Her joyous tone almost never changed. She smiled, her rose red lips parting to show that brilliant smile my father fell in love with. “Was. She’s dead now Blithe. Why do you insist on growing an attachment to your playthings hm?”

    My blood ran cold. They would never understand. No matter how hard I tried to explain it, no matter what words I chose to use, the concept of valuing a life would escape them. This is who they were. I stayed silent, staring at those empty cerulean eyes. I felt numb. I thought that this time would be different.

    There was a long sigh from my father as he stood. My eyes left Ariel for a moment to look up at him. In a slow motion, he ran his long lithe fingers over his face, his normal wintermint eyes darkening to hardened emeralds.

    “She isn’t a toy to me. She’s-“

    “Was! Blithe, she was prey and she was caught. Time to move on. I do not have time for this childish attitude of yours. Grow up or face the consequences.” With that he stormed off, up the stairs, slamming the door. I couldn’t help but wince at the sound.

    My mother’s soothing tone and her fingers through my hair made my stomach turn. “Oh sweetheart, you know how your father is. He just wants us all to be close again. You two were practically inseparable when you were younger. He misses that.”

    I pushed her hand away and turned to look away from her. My jaw muscles tightened. I could hear the sound of my teeth grinding, my vision tunneling out for just a moment before going back to normal.

    “Well that’s too bad isn’t it?”

    She made a frustrated scoff and wiped the bloodied knife she held in her left hand on my shirt. A could hear the self-satisfied smirk in her voice as she spoke. “Bury her tonight Blithe and say your goodbyes if that’s what you need to do.”

    With those words she left, sauntering upstairs, closing the basement door gently behind her. In the darkness, I sat starring at the face of the girl I’d grown to love. I could almost hear her voice, that small chuckle and soft smile she gave me, silently telling me everything was going to be alright. But as I looked at her, blood smeared across her face, her long jet black hair caked in the substance, I felt my world collapse. The tears I’d been holding finally broke free as I pulled her to my chest carefully.

    My grip tightened around her as I rocked gently back and forth. I buried my face in her neck trying all at once to muffle my sobs and memorize her tantalizing scent. My throat tightened, my vocal cords straining to hold in the scream that threatened to escape me.