Board Thread:Writer's Workshop/@comment-26399604-20160324185524

NOTE: I've been holding onto this story for awhile and a bit unsure whether to scrap it or not. This is probably the shortest story I've ever written. I would appreciate any feedback on it - does it sound good, or is it bad, if either, could you please explain what works or what doesn't? Thank you again for any who read it!

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I watch over her.

To her, I am completely devoted.

She is mine – my sweet Melissa – the perfect name for one who holds such beauty as her. She is a goddess incarnate, casting her spell upon me. I did not foresee this, and yet how could I? Love can be without warning, and I have fallen for you. Even so, I shall protect you from harm.

She knows not of me – who I am, what I look like, or even that I view her as the very charm in my life, but that does not bother me. Her safety alone is all that concerns me. I could care less of her ignorance of my protection. If not me, then who would take on such an imperative responsibility?

I don’t think there would be another who could admire her as I do. There is just something about her; a truly stunning piece, she is.

No – she is mine to watch – no one else’s.

She has such perfect skin – flawless and elegant – that I caress every evening while watching her peacefully slumber. Her eyes are like two brown jewels – warm kisses that melt the very soul. When they gaze upon me – although they do not actually view me directly – I still feel their warmth. And who could forget her long luxurious hair, cascading like a silk river of cinnamon? With every sway, it releases a sweet aroma like honey elixir.

I am drawn closer to you every moment I am around you – for every charming, bubbly laugh you admit and every heartfelt tear you shed.

Oh do I adorn you, my sweet Melissa.

***

Do you recall our earlier moments? Remember the day you were walking down the street – such a confident and yet alluring stride with hips commanding their presence be known. A working man – high above – was fixing a sign when his tool bag slipped, plummeting towards you. You would have surely been wounded beyond relief, so I gave you a “little push” and you stumbled forward, and out of harm’s reach. You were startled by the event – even failing to offer your gratitude, but I was content that you were simply untouched.

I was also there for you another time when you were crossing the street – your eyes distracted by your cellphone – and you were completely oblivious to the oncoming bus. Such an incident would have left you reduced to a bloody stain, a gorgeous one, but a stain nonetheless. I could not have that, so I snagged your purse on a parked car’s mirror to keep you from crossing to your death. You were frightened by the bus’s horn, but alive nonetheless.

It will be very disheartening when you are to depart from the world – I’m sure the very heavens would weep without end. Fortunately, today will not be that time.

Mishaps like these happen all too common to anyone, but I must admit yours is a rare case indeed. I could tell your fear of recent happenings was elevating. You began to question your luck – ''why was fate testing your existence? And why was death’s cold touch always just a strand of hair away?'' You contemplated this while gazing at your perfect self in the mirror – I was sure you could finally see me standing beside you, but alas, you did not.

As much as I wanted you to become mine, you already belonged to another.

Your lover – Eric his name – was a very lucky man, blessed with your company. I must confess – it was through him that I was able to find you. He was the reason behind our fateful encounter.

***

Time went on, each filled with their own array of incidents, but I was there. I was always there – to protect you, to watch over you – your silent knight in white armor. Yet with each new event, grew more concern in your heart. ''Why were so many disturbing incidents occurring around you, and so frequently? Why were you just barely able to escape with your life?'' These questions lingered in your mind. Was it your destiny to leave this Earth now?

Fret not my goddess, for I am here for you until the end.

Even Eric’s love could not rival mine. He could never understand as I do. He cannot act as I can. You try to explain your mishaps to him, but your words fail to ignite action. ''How would you expect him to intervene? What hope could he instill upon you that all would be tolerable?'' You believe he cannot comfort your growing terror, but trust me, my love – he grants me more strength, in his stead.

With each passing day and every new incident, you hold less faith in your Eric, and begin to stray further from him. I remain by your side though. I am the true lover of this triangle. Yet, instead of my arms, you cling to another’s – remedies. I do not understand why you believe such ‘tonics’ are the key? Why would you corrupt and ruin your perfect form? Yet I cannot fray for too long. If this brings you delight, then I am content as well.

Oh how I love you, my sweet Melissa.

As the gap grows between you and Eric, his uncertainty grows on par. Yet, you do not confide in him any longer. Your love and faith has been misplaced into your ‘tonics.’ I watch as they slowly alter you. Your senses are no longer your own. You are no harlot – I dare not label you that, but why do you lay with so many men now? What are you hoping to accomplish?

I watch as the very light drains from your eyes – your once perfect figure shriveling as the harsh kiss of weariness descends upon you.

Your ‘tonics’ have sunken their fangs into an unfathomable grip in you. You no longer walk in a confident, alluring stride, but now a stumbling hunch. Your profession – once the passion of your being – no longer resides within it. Your smile now forever absent while you slumber more than your share. Countless times did I have to “awaken” you from the spells casted by your remedies.

I do not like them. I struggle to comprehend your love for something so destructive.

Even with all my power, I feel incapable. It seems that all I have done and will do is in vain. ''Why do you self-destruct? Why do you take my love and protection for granted? Do you not see that the world would be much colder without your presence to grace it?''

Such proof can be seen from your Eric who has withdrawn his love from your absence. I cannot feel the same strength from him as I did before. You do not even notice, and yet still I remain by your side – I am bound to do so. Even when you destroy yourself, which infuriates me beyond expression, I continue to love you, my sweet Melissa.

Even when you abandon your Eric, I know my love will never abandon you. Even when I hear Eric curse your name, I know I will always bear you in my heart.

***

Today I watched again in dismay as you let your wits be overtaken – and in all places, your car. I ask again, ''why do you self-destruct? Why do you wish to test the extent of death’s reaches?'' Without warning, you lose control of your car, colliding into a building. It puzzled me for such an event should have never been possible around me. The building was an unstable one – its upper floor threatening to cave upon you. Yet I was there to hold it up – is this not proof that I still can shelter you? A mere slab of wood was all it took.

You were relieved, barely conscious, but alive. All you had to do was emerge from the rubble. I told you, I would keep you safe forever, my love.

Yet, I feel something – a cool draft – one that shudders deep into the core. Its presence saps the very light around, yielding a thick smog of ash. A foul stench of decaying flesh trails, reeking like the perfume of death – one I have never forgotten, how could I? My eyes scan about and with dismay they find its owner – a Calamity.

Nothing is more retched than their kind. They are tall and frail creatures with skin as dark as asphalt. I often wonder if these fiends bathe in a pool of boiling tar. Its eyes held a gleam, auric in color, seeming like smoldering embers of malice. Its long, bony fingers mimicking miniature tree branches, peeking from their cloaks. The shroud upon its delicate frame blew in an un-casting wind – releasing endless smog into the air.

Calamities are walking curses. I’ve protected you from a good share of them each day.

I tell the foul beast, “Be gone! Melissa is mine to protect, mine to love!”

I hold up a withered scroll to its face. Upon it bears my love’s name.

The creature merely tilts its head as if amused. It lets out a ghastly chuckle, speaking afterwards – no mouth present on its charcoaled face.

Its voice was harsh and wheezing, “What is yours is now mine,” it exclaims, sounding as if asphyxiating from its own fumes. “Your contract is void.”

I gave the creature a puzzled look. What madness does this abomination speak? Before I can inquire, the parchment wilts into the wind, becoming one with the creature’s ashes. As it fades, I finally understand and come to terms with this realization.

Forgive me, my love. I swore to protect you always and forever, but my master’s strength no longer resides within me. My pact dictates that I protect you from all harm. Nothing can hurt you or separate my power to shield you...Nothing except the one who originally spoke the prayer.

The Calamity renders what I feel is an accomplished smile; even with no mouth I can sense it. I stand aside though. With a flick of its wrist, the slab of wood – that was once sheltering you – cracks and splits. From it resonates, an unsettling moan. In that mere moment, I can see your senses return. Your eyes comprehend and fear envelops within them. In that instant, I almost believe that you can finally see me.

All I can do though is smile to myself, and watch as the floor above caves and collapses onto your car.

Regrettably, now I must wait for a new contract. For that, I must keep an ear open for a new prayer. Will there be one to seek my protection or one to curse for my brother’s bidding? Only time will tell.

Until then, I bid you farewell, my love.

I will always adore you.

Yours truly – your Guardian Angel. 