Luminous Dawn

Erhen's eyes fluttered open, the world a blur of stars as pain pulsed through his body. He lay still, the dull ache in his ribs a harsh reminder that he had fallen from a tree. His mind struggled to piece together the last few moments.

As his vision cleared, the first thing he noticed was her dark brown eyes, sparkling as if they held the entire cosmos within them. Concern etched her features as she gently pulled his head into her lap. Beside them, an older woman in white clerical robes chanted softly, her hands glowing with a warm, golden light that eased his pain.

"You took quite the fall," the young girl said, her voice soft and melodic. The sunlight bathed her in a radiant glow. "Does it still hurt anywhere?"

Erhen blinked, his thoughts sluggish and scattered. "You smell like apples," he mumbled.

She giggled, the sound like a gentle breeze rustling through leaves. "I'm glad you're alright."

The cleric concluded her spell, and the pain in Erhen's body faded to a distant memory. "There, you should be fine now," she said, her tone kind and reassuring. "Just take it easy for a while."

A carriage stood nearby, its door open in silent invitation. The girl helped Erhen to his feet, her touch light and steady. With an encouraging nod from the cleric, she climbed back inside, her escorts waiting patiently.

Erhen hesitated, watching as the carriage began to roll forward. Panic surged through him as he realized he hadn't even asked her name. Summoning his courage, he called out, "What's your name?!"

She turned, her smile radiant as she leaned out the window. "Vanessa," she replied, her voice carrying on the breeze.

"Vanessa," he repeated, savoring the sound. He decided he rather liked saying it.

He tilted his head back, watching the sky as the light filtered through the trees. "Oh man! I'm going to be late!" With a burst of energy, he sprinted across the open field towards home.

As the last of the carriage wheels faded into the distance, the wind whispered through the trees. Low, unintelligible murmurs slithered through the air, voices without bodies, their words just out of reach.

The cleric frowned, glancing toward the woods, before making the sign to ward off evil. Vanessa, oblivious to the eerie sounds, simply smiled and leaned against the window, watching Erhen disappear into the horizon.

****

A sudden lightning strike and thunderclap jolted Erhen back to the present, his hazel eyes focusing on the ceiling above him. He didn't remember how he got inside, nor did he care to. A half-empty bottle dangled from his left hand.

His thoughts were a tangled mess of memories and regrets, the images of his wife and son haunting his every waking moment. He could still see their faces, pale and lifeless, as they were lowered into the ground. The pain was unbearable, and he sought solace in the bottom of the bottle, though it didn't seem to be enough.

Erhen stumbled to his feet, the room swaying around him. He clutched the bottle tighter, as if it were the only thing keeping him anchored to reality. The house was eerily quiet, the absence of laughter and warmth a constant reminder of what he had lost.

He made his way to the window, staring out at the stormy night. Rain lashed against the glass, the wind howling like a chorus of lost souls. It was as if the world outside mirrored the turmoil within him.

His eyes drifted to the family portrait on the mantle, dust already beginning to settle on its frame. In it, his wife's smile was radiant, their son's eyes full of life and mischief. He reached out a trembling hand, tracing their faces through his tears, only to stop short of touching it.

Memories flooded his mind—playing with his son in the yard, his wife's laughter as they cooked together, the warmth of their embraces. Each memory was a dagger to his heart, a reminder of the life that had been ripped away from him.

He turned away, unable to bear the sight any longer. The weight of his grief threatened to crush him, and he sank to the floor, clutching the bottle to his chest. The memories, the guilt, the loneliness.

He knew that no amount of alcohol could numb the pain, but he had no other way to cope. In a drunken stupor, he closed his eyes, wishing for oblivion. But even in his dreams, death was denied to him.