Autumnal Feelings

6// Enemy

Vendetta watched him strut across the yard like he owned the place. She scowled, but the disgusting creature didn’t seem to see her glaring through the dirty window. Day after day he showed up and reeked havoc on her life. She bet the others thought he was real cool stuff, but Vendetta was not impressed. She watched him nose around in her mailbox as if she wasn’t sitting right there! “That’s the final straw, mister!” Vendetta jumped up, cleaver in hand and bolted from her house. As she approached, he stood up straight, suddenly aware of the bunny eared freight train heading right for him. He squeaked, jumping off the rickety mailbox just before Vendetta’s cleaver struck it. “Get back here, bastard!” She yelled as the squirrel scampered towards the nearest tree. He disappeared into the orange foliage right as she reached the base of the tree. Vendetta waggled her cleaver at him. “I’ll get you next time. Piece of shit.” Vendetta stood stubbornly until night fell before she reluctantly went inside.

7// The Shrine

She lit the candle and set it beside a silver frame. In a dilapidated house, full of dust and eight legged critters, it was the only thing that appeared cared for. There were over thirty photos in all, all of the same subject. In every one he was smiling. The later ones, when his eyes lost their gleam and the corners of his mouth would scarcely turn upwards, were stored in a box some place. This is how she wanted to remember him. From back when he was hers. She gently brushed her hand over the photo at the top of the pyramid. Tears welled up then rolled down her cheeks, getting caught in the cracks on her face. When she closed her eyes, she could feel the cool, autumn breeze ruffling her hair. The taste of smoky sugar manifested on her tongue. And if she believed enough, she could feel a hand firmly grasping hers, his pure and true love radiating up her arm and filling her chest with unadulterated joy. Then she opened her eyes and returned to the cold loneliness of an empty home.

8// Bonfire

“It’ll be fun, Harmony. Let’s go camping with my friends. It’ll be great.” Harmony mocked her boyfriend as they searched for dry sticks. “There was no rain in the forecast.” Quinn said glumly. “Jeff said he checked, anyways.” It had been raining almost since the six humans and the grumpy Lockette had arrived at the campsite two days ago. Everyone kept swearing the skies would clear any minute, but to no avail. It had finally cleared up a few hours ago, but there were a couple angry looking clouds still hanging around. Why they all hadn’t gone home from the start, Harmony didn’t know. Quinn’s friends had gone home after breakfast, but he was determined to stick it out and spend the final night there. “All these branches are soaked.” Harmony complained. “We’ll never start a fire with these.” Quinn sighed. “Yeah, I think you’re right.” He looked forlornly at their tent. “There’s only one option.” He went into the tent and came back with his sleeping bag. “You and I.” He said as he lit the blue bag on fire. “Will just have to share.” The cheap sleeping bag ignited easily. Harmony went into the tent to root around and see what supplies they had. Quinn’s friends had taken all of own their stuff with them. She knew they weren’t particularly fond of her, but she would have thought they would have left their buddy a can of beans or a flashlight, at least. Harmony returned to the fire. Quinn was sitting on one of the logs the site had prearranged around the fire pit. He held his hands out to the flames. “Warmth, oh sweet warmth! How I missed you.” She waved the big baggie full of s’more ingredients. “This is all that we packed as far as food stuffs go.” Harmony passed him a stick with a marshmallow on it. “Fine by me.” Quinn said. He held the little pillow above the flame. Harmony sat and watched the fire peacefully as she munched on her s’more. She heard a beep, then saw a small flash out of the corner of her eye. “You and that silly camera of yours.” She said. Quinn checked the image on the screen. “You’re so beautiful, I just had to capture the moment.” Harmony blushed. Quinn chuckled, then returned to his treat. Harmony picked up the camera and took a few candid shots of her own. She looked at the screen. It was a little blurry. Her finger hovered over the delete button. She decided to keep it, it might be nice to have the memory some day. Something hit her head and she looked up. “Oh, you’ve got to be-“ Before she could finish her statement, the sky let loose again.