Austin sat in his room while the wind began to howl. Such energy whirled around yet none of it reached his soul the way it used to. Disconnection with the energies of the outside world were beginning to leave him exhausted yet unable to sleep.
Still sitting Austin brushed his medium length black hair out of his eyes. Some would call him a goth but in truth he was nothing or so he thought. Wearing all black was ussual for him and depression seemed common these days but the label was bothersome.
For some reason no matter how much he longed to be a part of something he hated to feel categorized or even be part of things. Social anxieties had often weighted him down and being in large groups was more pain then it was worth. Funny when you want something but hide from it because it seems to only bring you pain. It seemed to him that life was one big circle. If you get something you want it ends up not being what you want and when you find something that makes you happy it goes wrong.
Ussually the stereo would be on but for the moment there was just the sound of wind and rain beating against his window. Staring outside he noticed the way trees violently danced back and fourth as if afraid, terrified even. What could they be so afraid of that would make them move at such a frantic pace?
It didn't take long for his train of thought to leave as his creative side had seemingly vanished or at least weakened from his lack of energy or perhaps it was motivation. Now he began to ponder this new thought trying to figure out what was going on inside of him. For hours he would ponder and now he didn't for more then a glimpse of a moment. Pondering why he didn't ponder anymore he suddenly stopped and went blank for another minute.
Soon as it seemed a new thought might appear, a thought which he seemed to be half searching for the phone began to ring interrupting his search of something, anything. After a few rings someone answered and with in minutes his mother was calling up from down stairs to tell him it was for him. A phone call? Who would be calling him? It seemed years since anyone had cared enough to call not to say that was anyone's fault but his own.
On the other line was a voice that seemed enchantingly familiar and yet at the same time locked too far away in his memory to recollect. A soothing female voice spoke on the other line with a hint of nervous unease and asked him if he could meet her at the park. Unable to comprehend he said sure and told her he'd be waiting at the bench in fifteen minutes.
Going upstairs to get his jacket Ausin told his mother he'd be back shortly and that he was going for a walk. "In this wheather? Are you insane?" she replied
"It's not that bad, besides I like walking in the rain," he responded with no enthusiasm or worry in his voice.
"Alright, if you want to. You're the one who's going to freaze." There was no use trying to be the worried mother to a seventeen year old boy who would never take advice anyways.
Outside cast him into a chaotic dark world that made the hairs rise on his neck. Shivering he pulled his leather jacket tightly around him hunching trying to get his neck and ears covered knowing it was no use. Why hadn't he thought to grab a better jacket for such wheather? Out of habit and liking his leather jacket the most he made the mistake of wearing it on days that called for different attire. But, then he was never one to worry too much about suffering.
Walking seemed to make his mind start to work again at least more then in the past few weeks and he was so consumed that it took a minute before he realized where he was going. It was right before passing the entrance to the park that he remembered and suddenly started to wonder why he was there.
Twisted so that you couldn't read the words the park sign was beaten down by the wind carelessly hanging on the fence as he walked through the small entrance. Trees looked ready to fall and in some places large branches had broken or bent far anough that they practically touched the ground. Swings were violently swaying on the playground making him think of what would be a mother's worse nightmare. In some ways it was the playground of hell.
Near the far side of the park where there was a clearing in the trees a man or so he assumed stood covered in a rain coat. What else he wore was indistinct through the blur of wind and rain, but it was clear his full body was concealed. Next to him was another figure shorter perhaps 5'7 or 5'8 her dress was less fit for the wheather then her companion. Wearing a black skirt and a tank top she seemed all but freazing in the storm but stood stalk still not even wrapping her arms around for warmth.
The girl seemed to consume him with her long dark hair blowing in the wind. Something about the image seemed magical even dream like to him. In fact he started to wonder if it was a dream because the cold of the wind and the chill of the rain suddenly became an indistinct sense.
Maybe it was the wheather causing him to be in such a dream like state, but with out even really fearing what would happen to him he made his way over to the clearing. Getting close his heart began to freaze creating a cold icy chill that ran through his veins. Once he was with in yards of the girl the man vanished to end up behind him.
Something hard pressed into Austin's back and a low voice told him to slowly move forward. Doing as he was told and remaining silent he was next commanded get one his knees. Kneeling inches from the girl he looked down so as not to offend her with the placement of his head but the man only pulled his hair so that he stood staring directly into her skirt.
Once recognizing the legs infront of him Austin cautiously moved his hand and gently caressed the girl's leg soothingly to let her know it would be alright. Feeling a blow to the head he fell to the ground starting to drift in and out of consciousness. Trying to get up only brought a boot down hard against his back leaving him helpless and bewildered.
The tase of mud filled his mouth and his clothes were drenched adding to the feeling of miserable helplessness. Even believing himself to be in a dream the ability to figure out what to do was unavailable. Sobs became just audible over the howling wind and the words "I'm sorry," just barely grazed his ears.
Being dragged up by his shirt Austin came face to face with the girl who's tears must have been flowing though they were covered by rain flowing down her face. Putting his hand to her cold cheek he looked deeply into her eyes.
Elizabeth had been gone for over a year now and he'd put her memory away as a dream long ago. She had left him and after months of trying to make things better she still refused to speak to him. Finally he had given up putting him into the worse place he had ever been. Never had he stopped loving her but all of his strength to be anything more had left him a shattered shell. Months had gone by and every few nights he would dream of her reminding him the way his heart longed, until now he never thought he would see her again.
With out even thinking he kicked back hard hitting the man straight in the crotch. Turning around he grabbed the gun from the ground and pointed it at the crumpled figure. Putting his arm around Elizabeth's waiste he started to back out of the park never taking his eyes from the stranger.
Clinging closely Elizabeth remained quiet squeezing Austin tighter still shaking with a mix of fear and cold. Noticing her shivers Austin took off his jacket switching hands with the gun to keep it ready and handed it to her against her silent refusals putting it on her shoulds and wrapping it around her. Looking away for a second he kissed her wet cheek and closed his eyes for a slight moment savoring the feeling of her in his arms once more.
The journey home was mixed with both pleasure and fear. Too much was swimming through his mind and heart to even try and speak so silence between the two was savored as they both seemed to look back and fourth jumping at every sight of movement.
By the time they rached Austin's house his parents were in bed so quietly they went up to his room. Taking of Elizabeth's wet clothes he laid her on the bed and then took of his own soaked clothing. Bringing the blankets up around them he held her naked body close feeling the moisture of rain and the heat of her soft flesh against his. Caressing her face he began to kiss her neck and body frantically squeezing her tightly over and over again.
.... still not done, but once again done for now.
