The End of the Road (standard:drama, 1487 words)
Author: TJC	Added: Jun 24 2008	Views/Reads: 3660/2187	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Following a tragic loss, a man feels there's only one thing he can do to stop the pain.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

left. There was no other way to get rid of the pain ripping his soul 
apart.  With another terrible season over, this was the perfect time. 

Seth sat in his dark house, the .38 caliber revolver in his hand.  This
was the only way. 

“What are you, doing, Seth Baby?”  Summer was there again, or at least
the vision of her. The soft dark hair and copper skin, the deep, dark 
expressive eyes full of life even in sadness. Next to her was Autumn, a 
mini version of Summer, a look of terrible worry in her teary eyes. 

“I miss you both so much.”  Seth said as he shut his eyes and could feel
his wife's hand on his face and his daughter hugging him. 

“There's only one way to end your pain, Seth,” his wife whispered. 
“Only one way.” 

Seth opened his eyes and they were gone again.  It was terrifying and
yet comforting.  His family was waiting for him to join them and all he 
had to do was go to them.  The gun felt heavy in his hands as he 
wondered how long his body might rot in the house before it was found.  
Why did he care about that?  He would be with the only two people in 
the world that mattered.  The end of the road was here, and all he had 
to do was follow it.   Finally it was time.  The pain would be gone and 
he'd be away from a place he'd come to despise almost as much as 
himself. 

Lifting the gun toward his mouth, Seth clicked the hammer back.  Part of
him thought of the mess it would make and how many other ways he could 
do this, but none were as reliable as a bullet to the brain.  His hands 
shook uncontrollably as he put the barrel past his lips.  The cold 
metal of the weapon clattered against his teeth.  A second or two of 
courage and he'd be with his family again.  For a second he is standing 
next to himself, seeing the sunken, shattered man in a bathrobe holding 
a gun in his own mouth.  Had he already done it?  Where was his family? 
Then just as suddenly he was in his own body again and shivering like a 
man stuck in some unimaginable icy cold.  It was time to go.  In his 
head he kept hearing his wife's words, ‘There's only one way to end 
your pain, Seth.” He knew what he had to do.  As he began slipped a 
finger through the trigger guard, his hand shook violently. 

The hammer clicked back into the weapon softly.  “Stupid coward,” Seth
screamed at himself as he let the gun drop to the filthy carpet at his 
feet.  Tears began to flow hot down his drawn, tired face.  Tears?  He 
was crying? 

“I'm sorry my love,” he cried.  “I can't do it.  I'm a pitiful coward.”
Soon he was sobbing, weeping the fury of pent up grief and anger.  Two 
years of deep sadness washing across his face and heart.  “I love you 
both so,” he sobbed.  “Please forgive me.” 

Once again he heard her voice and the warmth of her hand on his face.
“That is the only way, Seth Baby,” she whispered happily.  “That is the 
only way, my love.  We have to go now, Darling.  Goodbye and we'll wait 
for you when your time comes.  We love you.”  Seth continued his crying 
until he fell asleep, exhausted. 

The following day, after sleeping for nearly eighteen hours, Seth
Armstrong started cleaning up his house and made some calls to his 
friends and parents.  He knew in his heart he would never truly get 
over the tragedy of two years ago but he now knew that he would go on 
and perhaps one day enjoy life again.  The loss of his Summer and 
Autumn had led him to a horrible winter of discontent and depression.  
Now though, at long last, the break of spring was at hand.  Through his 
tears, Seth felt something on his face.  It was the trace of a smile. 

TC 


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