Chapter Text
Run, run faster than you’ve ever ran. The world is ending. It’s slowing and tripping on air. Yet it’s a stampede in your ears. Don’t doubt, second guess. Speak. Cry out to the soul. Little snow hair and lightly dusted skin. Kandi bracelets and doodles. Sewing needles and newly made shirts. Blue and gold, your favorite colors. Pale, fragile. Boots stomp on the ground. Yours, or your consequences, karma? Cough phlegm, choke. Barge in. The shuffle of clothes. The zipping of bags.
“Hey, Winnie! Where have you been?”
“Winston, what are you doing here? I thought you still had work to do.”
Gasp explanations; cut off.
“I was just making us friendship bracelets. Yours is the blue one with gold accents.”
“I’m packing. I’m going to leave, go home. I feel… trapped here, waiting for you.”
Startle. Step back then forwards. Take his hands. Plead.
“See? I made them match. It looks really good on you!”
“I’m sorry, the flight is today. I need to go.”
Tug, try to explain, anything, anything.
“Hey, hey! I’ve found somewhere in the forest we can hang out after work. It’s a bit far, though, I hope you don’t mind getting a bit dirty.”
“Winston, please. It hurts enough already.”
“There it is. Isn’t it pretty? We’ve got plenty of space out here, secrecy too!”
“I don’t want to go either,”
“I’ve already begun collecting branches and rocks we can use to build a little shelter out here, where we could do whatever we want, say whatever we want!”
“But we need time away from each other. I know you need it.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Goodbye, Winston.”
“I’ll see you when I see you, alright?”
The door slams shut.