"Bottled Rose" is one of the April Writing Challenge entries that was chosen to be a featured story.
September 24, 2006
Flowers bloomed among the green leaves, the kind you fondle in your hand as you ask its permission to walk away with you. In a world of lush gardens and burned paradises, a rose stemmed over them. The rose grew before the eyes of its many beholders, always able to feel the breeze rise above her, inspiring her everyday to keep reaching higher.
One sunny day, the air was still, and the bushes began rustling. Closer and closer the rustling was, she looked around for the source of the sound. Closer and closer, then suddenly a handsome man appeared in front of her. Her eyes lifted to the tops of the trees, trying to avoid eye contact with his glowing smile as her white petals grew pink. He looked at her like an arcade prize he spent so much time to possess. This type of attention was all too new and before she knew it, the aging that love does made her wilt.
Then menacingly, he was craving to have her in his hands. Before she could beg him away, the blade thrust through her before she had a chance to bid farewell to the leaves who kept her protected for all these years. Away from her roots now, the pretty pink rose swims in a bottle instead, living by herself now, but trapped in an inescapable doom.
Not my best work, I know. But, sometimes all you need is a story for yourself. A story only you can understand and relate to when the blade keeps slicing you open, hungry not for your blood, but for the taking of your soul.
…………“WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?”
…………She turned around quickly, startled by the voice. Her hands began trembling, watching the shackles appear around her wrists once again.
I’m afraid I didn’t make dinner today.
“DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD I WORK? YOU ARE SO SELFISH! STOP WRITING AND STOP BEING SO LAZY, YOU–”
I wish I could write more, but I’m in a bit of a rush now.
The rose threw her voice on the tile and started swimming against fate. The plastic gave way to her determination, water that drowned her…setting her free. She reached for another ear, the man watching, afraid. Panic filled his mind, wiping away his glowing smile. Her pink petals faded to white, and the leaves floated him away.