| Subject: Kaleidoscope 1/1 |
Author:
Athena4
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Date Posted: 19:01:50 03/29/01 Thu
In reply to:
Athena4
's message, "Kaleidoscope" on 18:59:35 03/29/01 Thu
The car slid to a stop on the side of the gravel road, coming to rest under a canopy of oranges and reds. Shutting off the engine, Madeline leaned back against the seat, closing her eyes against the memories that threatened to overwhelm her.
In her memory, Paul stood before her, an impish grin spread across his face. Leaves lay haphazardly on his coat and in his hair; the signs of a struggle that was not yet over. His arms were filled with yet more leaves – and he stalked her, his child-like grin extending to create a gleam in his blue eyes.
Opening her eyes again, Madeline stared out at the foliage before her. Leaves swirled in the wind, falling from the trees and landing on the front window. Reds and golds lay side by side; ignorant of how quickly the violent motion of the wipers could end their repose. Unconscious of how quickly things change – how they can be forced to change.
She hadn’t wanted it to be this way.
Forcing back tears, Madeline looked out over the empty road, watching the dust swirl in the dimming light. In her vision, the dust took on shape and form, coalescing into a man: Paul.
Madeline watched in fascination as he approached; his breath coming out in gasps of condensation, his sneakers crunching in the fine gravel.
As her eyes shifted to follow his motion, he vanished once more into the dust, the sound of his footfalls getting lost in the howl of the wind.
The wind continued to howl as she recovered herself, closing her eyes and rubbing them in frustration. She couldn’t succumb to this. She couldn’t let it control her.
It had to be this way. There was no other choice.
Reaching beneath her jacket, Madeline slipped off the gold chain that hung about her neck, clasping its contents in her fist. It had lain hidden there for almost five years, heavy on her chest, a promise concealed beneath layers of clothing – revealed only in their most private moments.
Opening her hand, she looked down at the contents of her palm. The sapphire glittered even in the dim light, acting as a dark prism of blue against the gold band. A symbol of their love, an emblem of their devotion.
A promise shattered two days ago by her own words.
She allowed the tears to fall freely as she clasped her hand once again around the ring, holding it tightly as if she could retain its promise through her grip. She missed him. She would give anything to hear his laughter again…
As the tears clouded her vision, she allowed the past to haunt her; letting a dull ache settle over her heart. Rapid images flitted before her eyes; beginnings, endings, memories…
He lay back against the pillows, his hair tousled, his eyes closed in slumber. His chest rose and fell in peaceful ease, his hand gripping hers. The autumn sun shone in the window of the cabin, glittering off the rings on their joined hands.
He stood on the end of the dock, holding the canoe in place with the end of an oar. The water behind him was dead calm, echoing the serene look in his cobalt eyes.
He stood before the cottage, the wind blowing his hair, dead leaves swirling around him. His blue eyes were filled with tears…
The final image jolted Madeline from the past, and the ring slid from her grip, landing softly on her lap. Recovering it, she held it up with one hand, passing the other across her face to wipe away the tears.
It was over. None of it mattered, not anymore.
She would sacrifice their happiness – to save his life.
”End it here and now; or I’ll end it for you.”
The threat in Adrian’s tone had been obvious, but she’d driven it home with one further stipulation: Charles Sand.
Adrian rarely condoned relationships. It was rarer still for her to condone a marriage. But in this case, she’d made an exception. Madeline would marry Charles; and she would be cooperative – or Paul would die.
It was a simple equation really. The threat to Paul’s life ensured Madeline’s cooperation, and Charles acted both as an additional means of control, and as a barricade to further courting by Paul.
It was perfect.
Clasping the chain tightly in her grip, she brought the ring to her lips, kissing it gently. She wouldn’t forget. But for both their sakes she would obey. She would walk away from Paul. She would marry Charles. And she would feign happiness.
For now.
Tucking the ring deep into her coat pocket, she closed her eyes once more, fighting back tears. Maybe Adrian had been right – they were too close, too devoted. She’d never dreamed it would be this painful to leave him.
It was right this way.
Opening her eyes, Madeline turned her gaze towards the trees, wiping away a few final tears. A fine blanket of leaves lay across the windshield; reds, golds and oranges forming an intricate pattern along the window. Several blew away in the frigid wind, but they were quickly replaced by others – a kaleidoscope of rapidly changing colour.
With one final glance at the windshield, she started the car, leaning back heavily against the seat. The wipers brushed away the leaves violently, creating a dull rustle over the hum of the car engine. The colours were gone, the windshield blank.
A new pattern could be formed…
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