Fan Fiction ❯ sumthin' ❯ just one ( Chapter 1 )

One-shot

Short story

 

“Where are you?” Josephine whispered through the darkness. Her soft black hair elegantly fell on her shoulders. Her pale skin was being crushed by the arctic waft. Still she continued on walking through the corridor. She was lucky to be living in this luxurious place. The house near the lake was renowned for its spell bound interior. She looked around, her green eyes piercing the night. “Where are you?” She called once more. Josephine cupped her hands and rubbed them simultaneously. She was only wearing a thin nightgown, the hem of the skirt just reaching above her knees. To her right was an old wardrobe. Suspiciously she opened the door but there was nothing inside. She stepped back into another body. Quickly she turned to face the intruder, but she lost her balance and fell to the floor. “You startled me!” Josephine cried as she stood up. She was face to face with Daniel, her childhood friend. Daniel just smirked “Sorry, I couldn't resist.” He was seventeen, just a year older than Josephine. He had short brown hair, partially covering his topaz eyes. “So you got my message?” he inquired, “Of course, I have been waiting for you all night.” Josephine replied, straightening out her hair. “I have something to show you. Quickly put on your coat.” Josephine did what she was told. She ran to her room but she did so as quietly as possible. She did not want to disturb her parents and siblings. Daniel waited for her outside. She soon came out and they went off into the shadows.

Daniel brought her to the edge of the lake. “Fireflies…” was the first word that escaped the girls lips. “They are beautiful.” She said, her eyes sparkling with amazement. The little insects hovered over the water making the lake glow with the most amazing light. Josephine sat down on the grass. Daniel sat down with her. He looked at her expression and smiled as well. They watched, basking in the light of the fireflies. Hoping that this moment would never end. Hoping that it would stay as it was forever. But they are not as fortunate; it is their last time to be together.

The next morning Josephine was to leave. She was to go to the city. It was her mother's wish that her only daughter be married. In this time the women were only believed to be good for one thing. Marriage. However, Josephine's mother had a different point of view. Not only did she want her daughter to marry but wanted her child to marry Sir William, a wealthy aristocrat.

Josephine broke the silence. “Farewell Daniel.” She said with a lot of effort. “No,” was Daniels response. He was calm but he did not make eye contact. “Let us flee. Let us leave this place. We can have new lives.” Josephine shook her head. “I can't do that. It is my mother's order to---” “I do not care Josephine.” Daniel interrupted her. “I do not care what your mother orders you to do. Do you not care for yourself? Do you not care for us?” “I do Daniel. You who knows me best cannot even understand my actions.” Josephine stood up from the ground “Sir, I say to you, with all respect that you do not have any morals.” Daniel followed Josephine and also stood up. “Is it I Josephine? Is it I who has no morals?” Josephine ran away leaving her friend standing beside the lake.

Daylight came and Josephine had already packed her belongings. She closed the last suitcase and brought it to the door. Daniel darted through the woods. He had felt depressed at what he had said to Josephine. He did not want her to remember him like that. He did not want her to leave without saying goodbye… and apologizing. He finally reached the house. He was out of breath. He had worn his best clothes to see Josephine off. In his right hand was a bouquet of flowers. Tulips, Josephine's favorite. His expression changed suddenly. He saw the car about to leave. He ran after it, shouting for Josephine, calling her at the top of his lungs. But everything was futile. He could not be heard. The only one's who might have heard him were the maids in the house. He stood still, looking at the automobile as it went into the horizon. He heard the door of the house open, but he did not move. He heard a voice. “Daniel.” He turned. It was Josephine. She had stayed.