s hear

ia seemed to fade like the final glow of a dying sunset. What had o

hopeful that resuming classes would help her feel normal again. But Cynthia's mind was elsewhere-restless and clouded w

g to catch sight of him. And there he was-Larry-surrounded by a group of girls

here was an awkward energy in the air. Whispers followed her like s

eautiful girl

t's see how often she collaps

felt heavier with every step, but she forced hersel

ing-still pretending she didn't exist. When she greeted the

!" she

dn't

again. Sti

ack. He turned slowly. The expression on his face ma

wrong?" she asked

latly, "whatever we

, confused. "What

He pulled an envelope from his po

said, and then walked away-back

, louder this time, as if to ensure she felt every ounce

pot behind the classroom block, and sat dow

-

Cyn

met in my life. And I confess I loved you, Cynthia. I never imagined I would ever

epilepsy, perhaps I would've made different choices. Your seizure in front of everyone during my birthday

ee you. She's threatened to end

rom the moment you read this letter, I NO LONGER WANT A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU!

ish you the bes

nk

rmer bo

y Ar

-

rom her fingers and

st maybe, the last lines would say something like "But I'll stand by you as

, weak from heartbreak. Her mind spiraled. Was this really the same boy who onc

ghing again like nothing had happened

hispered. "Boys say sweet

ld sit in class and pretend to care about lessons. She had lost more than

t. Why did you let m

the school gate. She didn't ask for permission to leave.

't want

oo much. The s

ce the speeding bus. It came fast-too fast. The driver saw her ju

Wow! I thought the girls in magazines were j

gently. The young man leapt out through the window as

alked on,

young man waited outside, watching. Something

the pharmacist. "Please give me ten chl

200 shilling

illing note. Took the medicine. Le

the pharmacist call

ey and kept walk

now. He didn't just see a beauti

er pharmacy. He waited a

oroquine tablets,

, his hea

. He un

trying to c

ying to en

lf, still unable to understand the look of pain he'd seen moments earlier. He stood

o something sharp and hostile. She looked at him with utter contempt, her fac

g since giv

of t

ecome meaningless. Trust, dangerous. In her eyes, men were nothing but monster

you a stalker?" she snapped, he

is Richard Burton. I just completed high school a

id sharply. "Leave me alone and go live yo

y in her voice. "Okay... but please, don't kill you

ould you possibly help me with? I don't want to see your face. Just

rd didn't

choosing death. Something about her pulled him in-the pain behind her eyes, the si

ttle of water in her hand. She kept moving forward, never glancing back. Ri

n it ha

in several pills. Richard froze for a moment, realizing what wa

houted, his voi

and grabbed her by the neck-not to harm her, but to stop he

meone cried

e chaos, a stone flew through the air and struck Richard on the head.

used the moment to swal

aise himself despite the searing pain. "She to

one l

outed. Others hit him. The scene tu

en up. She could have stopped it. But her heart, wounded and cold,

voice shoute

and carrying a jerry can of petrol in the other. A

ted as he rea

pouring

s he struc

a coll

ody swaying like a broken br

y take the pills?" som

wo small sachets labeled Chloroquine 4/4/2. B

d take

d to be involved with suicide. No one wa

rowd disappeared

ce re

a. His arms barely held him up, but he moved, inch by inch, until he was bes

trembled. The pills worked through her bloodstream like a

knew he

up weakly and t

fore I die. I'm sorry for causing your death. I was consumed

raw. "Don't worry... but

ears forming at the corners of

elp

ning footsteps. N

ering wind acr

at last-an end to the en

sorrow-meeting death in a place he neve

t, two broken souls, the world ha

o one