2 Anne

Last night I dreamt of Anne.

I think we used to be friends because our eyes are the same. All seven of us, if you really looked into our souls, you might drown in our sadness. That's why I thought we'd remain friends, because we were a safety net, together we could float, without them I'd sink into despair. I didn't though, once we stopped the fake sense of comfort we drifted apart and yet we all stayed a float. I in particular just got lost.

In truth I should have nothing to be depressed about, I can't justify it. I just am. I sometimes wonder if they too were like me, but Anne is different. We all saw the marks littered across her pale skin. There were days when she disappeared, locked away in that house on the corner, away from eyes that might be able to discern the truth. We kept it that way, she didn't need to lie to us like she lied to everyone else.

We were so dumb even now at eighteen we can't speak up- as though she is a stranger, we have left her to suffer in silence. In my dream she couldn't cry even though she wanted to, but her bruises were beautiful shades of blue, purple, red and black. I always hated them and how it made her look so fragile but in the dream the colours blended and created an armour around her body. There were white feathers drifting around her, each one cutting at her skin, I saw her trying to fly but the feathers seemed to want to cut her apart.

The dream left me with a bitter after taste, it was haunting and yet beautiful. I haven't thought about the circle in a long time. I thought I could brush off the memories but my anxiety reflected through my shaking hands.

***

As usual I waited outside the trailer park for Seth. The morning air was murky, but breathable. The sun was out and like clockwork he came with it as though angel rays caressed his very existence. He looked like someone who lived for the night. His social media is enough proof that he is nothing like the nobel appearance he portrays to society. He is however the only person that I've been able to speak to after I was left alone two years ago. He and his friends accepted someone who no one ever actually cared about. Even if they weren't pitying me, I seem to pity myself enough.

'Did you hear?'

"Heard what?"

'Anne.'

"What about her?"

'You guys are close right?'

"We were."

'In truth I don't know how to tell you this but me and the boys drove by dead mans bend...Shit wrong words.'

"Seriously Seth what the hell." In my heart it was confirmed but my brain couldn't process it even after the words tumbled out of his mouth.

'-She jumped. Jumped off the cliff that is. I mean...shit Ash I didn't, I mean just shit.'