I don't remember whether I've shared this short story I wrote or not... so I'm posting it anyway. It was just something I wrote for a contest awhile back on a writing site- off the top of my head as I just took out a paper and began writing until I finished... so it may not be one of my best. However, I was a little proud of the imagery I put into it at  least.

 

Hope you all enjoy the read! (be honest! I take well to criticism)

 

The Lost Love

 

From the darkened room, Jasmine stood at her window, staring unblinkingly out at the night sky. The stars dotted against the black silk, a cloudless and moonless night that left the world bathed in a depressing darkness. She felt as if the night had dedicated itself solely to her as emotions from deep inside began to build up and wrench at her dead heart. Things had changed drastically for her in recent months and she couldn’t help but wonder what was to become of her. The window before her was open, allowing in the cold night breeze but she paid no attention to the cold air that brushed lightly over her delicate pale skin.

Her heart ached for Tanner. He was gone, after so lovingly convincing her to stay. She was confused; she thought he had loved her- but his disappearance only made her think the darkest of thoughts. How dare he leave her in a time like this… when she needed him most to get through her hardships and trials over the controlling thoughts that dwelled in her mind.

Small snowflakes drifted into the room, swirling around Jasmine in a white, chilling dance. The sheer white curtains gently flowed with the wind, picking up and surrounding her in a protective embrace. She glanced briefly to the mirror above her dresser nearby where a few white candles flickered, the flames dancing through the gentle breeze that had recently engulfed the room. The reflection that stared back at her was not of what she had once looked like so many years ago. When she was human, she had the most glorious bronze tan… and now she stood there with the palest of white skin that seemed to glow in the darkness. Her once honey-gold eyes were now a bright, crimson. A sudden gust of wind picked up, immediately blowing her long, black silk hair around her face.

Jasmine pulled her gaze away from the mirror, too disgusted with looking at herself any further. She was not an ugly creature as it was part of her kind to be beautiful… but after only four years, she was missing her human form and the once fragile body that she had dwelled in. She would never know the warmth of a mortal touch or the sunlight on her face again. Even though it had been some years since she had been turned, she had only recently begun thinking of these things. Maybe it was because the man she loved, Tanner, had left her… leaving her to constantly have thoughts running through her immortal mind while she remained alone. Thoughts that would never have crossed her mind before if he hadn’t left. He had always known how to keep her happy… to forget all the changes that had occurred.

A human crossed the street below, causing her to step out on the balcony and peer down into the darkness. It was easy for her eyes to see what the mortal eyes could not.
She was thirsty but fought back from leaping off the balcony to the unsuspecting human below. Tanner would not approve if she ever fed from an innocent. He had taught her his own ways of feeding, which meant avoiding the innocent humans at all costs and she understood his point not to feed from them. So with as much strength as she could muster, she slid back into the room and fought back the thirsty demon within her. She would wait until a better opportunity to feed.

The snow began to fall heavier, but Jasmine made no move to close her balcony window. She had promised herself after Tanner left that she would never close that window. It would remain open… always for him, in case he were to ever return to her. Tears stung at her eyes as she began thinking of how much she missed him. Reaching up, she touched her cheek lightly and pulled away to see her bloody tears on her fingers. Subconsciously, she licked them clean as Tanner’s memory came flooding to her.

He was smiling, his fangs glinting amongst the candlelight as he held her in their bed. The air was warm that night and they both lay in each other’s arms two nights after he had turned Jasmine. He had been worried that she’d be furious with him, but was surprised to learn when she awoke from the turning process that she was happy he had. They had learned a lot that night of each other after talking until the sun began to peek over the horizon and they closed the heavy curtains around the bed to take their daytime slumber. One thing they had learned was their strong feelings toward each other- both having kept their feelings silent until that night.

Tanner’s dark chocolate brown hair hung loosely in his face in a messy tussle as he stared lovingly down at Jasmine, tracing his fingers tenderly over her jaw line.
“I’ll love you always,” he had whispered sweetly, his voice flowing out like a gentle breeze on a spring morning. A little over a year later, he disappeared without so much as a note or a goodbye.

The memory faded and Jasmine snorted in disgust. If he loved her, why would he have left her?
Turning away from her open window, she went to her bed. The sun would be coming up soon and she would need to confine herself behind the thick curtains for sleep.

All she knew was that she would wait…

She would wait an eternity, searching for him and waiting for him to give her an answer.

 

copyright: C.L.Whitfield

 

 

Mmmmmm..... VERY NICE! Excellent use of descriptive words, Crystal; I could see the snow and feel the cold breeze on my face... I hope you're considering turning this into a full-length novel; I think you would do very well on the book shelves!