Do you ever get bored on the last day of school? Well, I know I do. This short story was the result of my boredom on the last day of school last year. I think I wrote a majority of it in Mr. McLaughlin and Mr. Cook’s classes, but that’s not really important. I just hope you enjoy it!
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Bridge
There’s a bridge in a woods. I crossed it every day to and from school, gazing thoughtfully at the golden leaves of the trees as I passed under their boughs. The sweet air smelled of fresh grass and fine wood the day I walked home with him. His name was Danny—he was a friend from school. He thought he was going to my house to spend the night. He chattered fervently about the games we would play later, the cartridges clinking together in his backpack as he spoke. He stopped in mid-sentence when we came to the bridge. Immediately he clung to its wooden railing with the excitement of a child. A vague sense of curiosity flickered through his eyes as he grinned down at the stream, examining the golden leaves that I had watched sail downstream so many times it was ordinary. His back was turned, and I smiled at him peevishly.
~
There’s a bridge in a woods. I crossed it every day to and from school, gazing reminiscently at the barren branches of the trees as I ambled through the lovely white snow in my prominent black attire. The breeze was chilling and nippy, similar to the grim presence of the pastor who accompanied me on my walk. He had given an excellent service for Danny after school today. The words he spoke to me were both reassuring and condemning. He chose to accompany me on his own accord. When it came time to cross the bridge, he failed to notice its icy surface and slipped. He hit his head, but I assisted in helping him off the bridge.
~
There’s a bridge in a woods. I crossed it every day to and from school, gazing uncertainly at the small budding leaves of the trees as I strolled down the muddy path. Some unseen birds sang their beautiful melodies while other hummed low dirges. As we went along her hand held mine, warmly tightening with every frown my face unveiled. Though we had dated only a couple of months, we were closer than ever. Audrey believed she knew me well, that my only fears were of clowns and spiders. As the soles of our shoes hit the bridge, her hand left mine, and my mind assumed the worst. With a loud exclamation, her eyes locked onto the flowering lily pads of the creek before she lowered herself onto the floor and basked in the sun. I liked this idea; she would be able to stare at the lily pads for hours as they floated on the creek’s surface.
~
There’s a bridge in a woods. I crossed it every day to and from school, gazing woefully at the thick accumulation of leaves that hung over me as I meandered under their shade. Beyond the hum of cicadas the vexing waters of the approaching creek could be heard. I paced tensely around the path as I conversed with her. My therapist asked many questions, but few were ever relevant. Her keen eyes had spotted me leaving school, and I am not someone who believes in coincidences. With false kindness she agreed to walk home with me. Centuries seemed to pass before we found ourselves on the bridge. I crossed it without any apparent recognition, but she remained. When I asked her if she was going to keep walking with me, she only stood and looked uneasily into the creek’s waters. I went back for her at once.
~
There’s a bridge in a woods. I crossed it every day to and from school, gazing hatefully at the shriveled brown leaves of the trees that loomed overhead. An abundance of fallen leaves littered the ground, plaguing the air with the reek of dead insects. Their hard bodies crunched beneath two pairs of shoes. My little brother scampered ahead of me, intrigued by his new surroundings. I had found Carter waiting for me outside of school. Instead of boarding the bus home from elementary school, he came to see me and complained about our mother. His six-year-old mind was incapable of understanding our mother’s reasoning for isolating us from one another due to her suspicions about me. I nearly vomited when the bridge came into view. He sprinted for it and clamored about on its wooden boards, giggling hysterically. It didn’t matter that I fought to reach him. His admiration of the creek quickly evolved into fear. I knew it was over when he said he saw someone in the water.
~
There’s a bridge in a woods. I crossed it every day to and from school, gazing blankly at the deadened branches of the trees as I passed under their readied gnarled hands. The air was still, as was everything else. Some final thoughts circulated in my mind before I came to the bridge. Gripping its splintery railing, I looked out onto the thin layer of ice that stifled the creek’s waters. My face void of all expressions, my heart killed of all emotions, I dived into the creek and cushioned my body between the others.
***
Well, what did you think? It’s definitely a strange, and it probably doesn’t completely make sense. If you have time, read it again and see if you notice anything different. Thanks for reading!
Disclaimer: I promise I’m not a psychopathic killer!