Beautiful Remains

From then on, Dylan took charge of the small group I had rescued, chatting with Andy, helping Juliet and even offering them food. Knowing him, he would take care of them from now, I had done my part.

Whilst he's making himself busy, perhaps I could slip away….

Step-by-step, I inched towards the window, being feline-like in my tactics. Once I was out the window, I was free to scale up the building and continue my world-watching from the roof. It was just a matter of getting there. Just as my fingers brushed against the window sill, one of the men approached me.

“Hi, Andrea, right?” he cooed.

His tone was too obvious, I knew exactly where he wanted to go with this conversation and I didn't have the time.

“Not interested.” I stated, narrowing my eyes to accuse him promptly.

His features were strong and defined, his eyes were alive with chocolate-colored mirth. Any Californian girl would be jealous of the tan that exaggerated his muscular build. The leather jacket that he wore suited him and only added a mischievous air to his already devilish style. Compared to the others, he seemed the least tired.

“Hey,” he joked,”I said 'hello' not ‘are you single?'”

An impatient sigh left my lungs and my fingertips danced anxiously on the rim of the window sill. Only one look and he knew what I was trying to do.

“Sneaking outside?” he asked in a quieter tone.

“Maybe...” I trailed off, sneaking a peek out the window and looking back at him curiously,”But Dylan hates to be left alone with strangers.”

The man laughed softly and leaned on the wall next to me. For a moment, he folded his arms and peered at me wonderingly.

“I'll let you go if you take me with you.” he stated. I nodded and hurdled out the window with the man at my heels.

We reached the roof without a hitch or a name yelled after us. Once the breeze was in our hair and the open air in our lungs, the man sat down near my nest and rested his eyes. Perhaps he was more tired than I had thought. Copying him, I shut my eyes.

The world in this moment was quiet. Asleep. Breathing. Alive.

Everything is so peaceful right now.

Without knowing it, I triggered another memory. I was in the backyard with little Alex, we were messing around with the swings that Daddy built. Her little vocal chords were singing Dory's “Just Keep Swimming” as loud as they could as she swayed back and forth. Still clad in my camouflage uniform, I pushed her as high as my weak arms would let me. I was finally home after so long in Iraq and I didn't care if it added to injury, I wanted to push Alex high enough to reach the sky. Watching us from above, clouds of a familiar shape began rolling in from the north. They were all too familiar, but not at the time. Alex jumped from the swing and into my arms; I had to admit that it was hard to hold up her weight. Our smiles faded as together, we watched dusty rain fall from the clouds. The infectious train of the century had arrived and Nashville, Tennessee was its next stop.

Something soft and dry touched my cheek, beckoning me to move my lids aside. I obeyed. A little, dried piece of plaster had flown into my face.

Why? Why couldn't it have been a leaf? I wondered with a scowl.

Hatred boiled in my veins as I threw the plaster to the wind.

Why does everything have to die?

“You ok?” came a concerned voice.

Accept things already!

“What was your name again?” I questioned, turning my head to flash the man an apologetic smile.

“Ashley.” he responded through a sleepy daze.

“I'm fine, Ashley,” I announced.

My gaze settled on the acres of destruction before me, the silent war. Again, I found myself above the chaos, but this time, I wasn't safe, I didn't have a glass window to protect me. Every inch of me was exposed and the havoc was putting its filthy hands all over my life. As time passes, I have to remember that I am not the only one affected by the filth, the madness that is Earth now.

“I'm fine,” I repeated.

Notes

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