The Girl (Short Story)

The girl.

Her bright lucid green eyes flashed with an unbearable frustration that was evident in her hysterical scream as she stood atop the high, grey cliff, alone and burdened.

The scream that somehow got dislodged from her throat echoed throughout the mountains surrounding her, betraying her inner rage and confusion and reflecting it at ten times its normal intensity.

Her plain smoke-grey dress was drenched entirely in the heavy torrent of rain and glistening beads of water continuously ran down the wild tracks of her jet-black hair like a trickling stream.

Brilliant flashes of lightning streaked across the dark, stormy sky, illuminating her pale face and casting a brief moment of light upon the indescribable pain that glazed over her eyes.

Her tears mingled with the rain, invisible upon first glance, as they flowed down her cheeks and past her trembling lips.

She turned her face towards the sky in fierce, silent defiance ... defying whatever gods that had already long lost her faith.

No, she did not need these worthless gods in her life any longer. What use were they of anyway? Could they even understand the countless troubles that she poured out to them every night?

She wondered why she still forced herself into believing that they were alive even though she knew somewhere, deep in her heart, that they were but mere statues carved in wood and cast in iron.

Unable to hear, unable to speak, unable to understand.

Maybe it was because she needed someone to talk to and confide in. Someone who could understand her. Someone who could love her for who she truly was and not who she pretended to be.

She was tired of acting. Her life had been nothing more than a play. Yet, she was terrified, terrified that once she let down her pretenses, everybody would hate her for who she truly was.

Like her mother did.

You're a damn bitch. A total loser, a person who's better off living in hell you know that? People won't want to be with you once they get to know you better 'cause you have a bloody attitude problem. Why the hell did I give birth to such a ...

The girl squeezed her eyes shut, reeling from the stinging recollection of her mother's cruel words.

The hurt and pain that she'd felt was too much to remember ... too much to endure. Nobody was there to make the pains go away ... to soothe the hurt she felt so burdened with ... nobody ...

The growing thunder rumbled ominously in the distance as the rain lightened to a drizzle. The light raindrops fell on the girl's back as she carelessly leaned over the edge of the cliff and stared at the wild surging of waves crashing against the cold, jagged rocks below.

Thoughts of death laced her turmoil of emotions like a deadly whiff of poison.

Nobody would care whether I'm alive or dead ... especially my mother ... just one jump ... will free me of all problems ... or will it?

As the girl turned to stare accusingly at the sky once more, a bright unearthly light started to glimmer in the middle of the sky, pulsing with a glowing blaze that gradually filled the entire sky with its strange presence of something ... or someone divine.

Eyes widening, the girl gaped at the mysterious spectacle that was spreading out in front of her like a promising sheet of hope.

A blank sheet where she could start her life all over again, where she could have the chance of being loved once more.

By someone who already knew her before she was even born.

Suddenly feeling compelled to kneel on the ground, the girl was filled with a strange exultation that she had not felt before.

Maybe there was a God after all ...

As the light started to fade away, a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Fresh tears sprung from her eyes, this time, not out of sorrow but of unexpected joy.

At the realization that somewhere above, she had been loved by someone all along. He had not forsaken her even though she had not believed in Him.

The one true God ...

The sky was now painted a fresh porcelain blue. Birds of all kinds began singing their sweet, piercing melodies. The gentle breeze blew against her damp hair and dress as the first golden rays of the sun peeked through the dispersing grey clouds.

Enveloping the girl in its warmth and new hope.

A new day always meant a new beginning. It was time to let go, move on and learn to live once again ...