24
without awakening
Jackie died again and again, but nothing hurt more than seeing her on the floor with her brains blown out, his name on her lips. Since he was a boy the darkness had been waiting for him. Waiting to take his hope, his light, his love. Jenny. It was the boogeyman under his bed. It was real and it wanted him and it won. Jackie collapsed to the ground, shaking and sobbing and put the gun in his mouth. It was a miracle, really, that he was able to shoot straight and end it--he had one wish, it was what he wished for every birthday after her funeral, after everyone told him again and again that she was gone, that he prayed to fucking God for. He wanted to be with her. To be with her in death, but nothing was ever that easy. He chased her through World War I, the carnival where the ghosts of their younger selves still played, and Hell--all to tell her goodbye and that he loved her.
Jackie died again and again, but nothing hurt more than seeing her on the floor with her brains blown out, his name on her lips. Since he was a boy the darkness had been waiting for him. Waiting to take his hope, his light, his love. Jenny. It was the boogeyman under his bed. It was real and it wanted him and it won. Jackie collapsed to the ground, shaking and sobbing and put the gun in his mouth. It was a miracle, really, that he was able to shoot straight and end it--he had one wish, it was what he wished for every birthday after her funeral, after everyone told him again and again that she was gone, that he prayed to fucking God for. He wanted to be with her. To be with her in death, but nothing was ever that easy. He chased her through World War I, the carnival where the ghosts of their younger selves still played, and Hell--all to tell her goodbye and that he loved her.