Voices

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That was the last straw

Tears in my eyes, I wipe them away angrily

Stay strong

What how-...

Just stay strong!

After all, she was just like any other girl

You’re used to this

She just used you

You’ll find another

No I won’t

She’s just like the others… they always leave me

Just in it for… whatever it is

Just walk away

Brinda’ll be here anyways

She’ll comfort you

The voice of an angel who always soothes you

Lulls you to sleep

You’ll be fine

But Don’ll be there

With his piercing, brusque tone

He’ll tell you to toughen up

Tell you that life is unfair

But you just have to deal with it

Deal with it

And the pain will be gone

Push against the door

Get out of that dark nightmare of a place

A place where you promised to build your home with her

Tears burst out again

Sssh ssh, Brinda soothes

It’ll be alright

Cannot see her

But feel her arm wrap around my shoulders

To comfort or to distract me from the pain

Man up, Don grumbles angrily

Look around

I notice three others

Todd

Linda

Eight, Brinda whispers

They’re new

Why are you called Eight?

Eight for the eight who left, the little boy whispers

Todd slaps my back

Tells me in a brotherly manner

Chin up!

You’re stronger than this!

Linda hugs me

Tells me the same

All tell me I’m strong in their own special way

But their voices

They get loud

Louder

Full on cacophony

Everyone is yelling

Make it stop

Make it stop!

Suddenly, I see a light

Not the blinding kind

A beautiful shining light

Warm

Alluring

Urging me to walk closer

Ignoring the voices, I go towards it

Closer… Closer…

Closer…

And then… all I see is white

My voices watch from afar

Don and Todd are grumbling

Linda and Brinda are shaking

Eight sobs,

That’s the ninth.

Everyone cries

But it’s going to be okay

---

Published June 13, 2021

Written by Mackenzie Chen ~ Graphics created by Abinaya Balaji