[Feel free to offer constructive criticism on this story, I had so much fun writing it and really hope to use it as a stepping stone on my road to becoming a better writer, so by all means, enjoy this read and let me know what you think!]
Once again Charlotte found herself on the edge, arms holding her weight against the railing of the balcony as she looked out at the land far below. It was gorgeous down there, even now that there was no sunlight left to pool onto the leaves the woods held this haunting beauty that paired well with the darkened sky. Above there were no clouds, many stars could be seen glittering happily without obstruction, and it was the most peaceful nature could be.
A long breath moved past her lips to fill her lungs in a way she hoped would calm the raging anxieties that accompanied the crowd, and before long a door opened behind her, from which a man emerges clad in a sleek black suit with his dark hair styled back formally, by his footsteps alone she recognized him,
"Damien," she says softly, watching as the clear skies become clouded over in an unnatural way, lightning crashing down in a faraway storm.
"There you are, are you alright, dear?" He asks softly, approaching her with an outstretched hand, "I lost you in the crowd, then William pulled me into one of his rants, and well- you know how he is. My point is that I am glad to finally see you, even after mere minutes I have missed you dearly, as cheesy as it sounds."
His soft chuckle and bashful expression seem to fall when she turns her head to reveal the tear tracks on her cheeks even despite the smile she wore. There was no hesitation when he took her hand in his, gently moving so she'd face him as he raised his free hand to wipe away her tears.
"Dearest," he says softly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, "what's wrong?"
"The sky" she mutters, leaning into Damien's touch and closing her eyes, "it's not right, something is wrong."
He glances upward briefly, humming softly in affirmation before pressing a kiss to her head, "I see. Even so, my dear, there is no reason in fearing what we cannot control, leave the skies for the heavens to deal with. Not to mention you have me here with you, my love, anything you face we will face together, and you know I will do anything for you."
She nods slowly, and less than a moment later was pulled into a warm embrace. She welcomed the feeling of his arms around her and felt as though her worries before had been almost completely washed away, though there was a coldness that remained tucked away in her chest, a horrible feeling that she just couldn't shake away even as her grip tightened on Damien. Then when met with his charming smile it was easily forgotten, fading into the details of the already hectic night as his voice filled the air around her.
"Now come, darling. Tonight is a night for celebration, and I can think of no better way than to share a dance with the loveliest woman in the room. What do you say?" He asked
She couldn't help but return his smile, "How could I say no to you, Dame?" She says softly, "though if you don't mind, could we share a drink first?"
He nodded once, keeping his smile "of course, give me just a moment, doll." Then he left with a wink only to return a moment later with a full wine glass, "as requested," he hums, handing it to her
She smiles, taking a sip and glancing out at the crowd as she did, accidentally locking eyes with a woman in a bright red dress with lipstick to match, her shining blond hair was done up big and high making her look like a pinned-up model you'd see in a magazine. The woman gave a smile that was less than genuine and rushed over, sapphire heels hitting the marble with a click click click that resonated through the room crowded with bodies, music, and conversation, and as she approached, it became apparent that her eyes were in fact locked on Damien.
Charlotte turned to her partner, who smiled pleasantly at the woman, "Who is t-" she began, though interrupted by an excited new voice, "Damien, Darling, what a pleasure seeing your face!" The woman cheered with a bright smile, lighting up her blue eyes
Damien smiles, "Margaret, you're looking quite well!" He hums, placing a gentle hand on Charlotte's back, "I don't believe you have met my darling Charlotte, Charlotte, this is Margaret, she used to work with William and me a long time ago."
Charlotte smiles, "it's a pleasure to meet you." She says with a soft smile
"This is your lover, Dames? I figured she was your pet!" The woman lets out a light laugh as Charlotte takes a long sip of her drink, "I'm kidding, darling, though she is quite cute!" Margaret then turns back to Damien, stirring up more conversation and practically pulling him away from his beloved, "How about a dance, Dames? For old times' sake." The woman suggests, holding a hand out to him
Damien politely waves his hand "my apologies, Margaret, but I was just about to share a dance with my darling."
At that moment her smile became much less genuine and she waved it off
"I'll leave you to it, then," she says, before sauntering off, calling out to another young man that had entered her field of view
When she'd finally left earshot, Damien chuckled lightly, "she's gotten so impossible over the years." Charlotte couldn't stop the sad smile that adorned her face, "you really must tell me whatever is the matter, my darling, you don't seem yourself."
She sighs softly, "You aren't here."
He frowns, "whatever do you mean, Charlie? We are right where we need to be." There is a certain lilt to his voice like he's trying to convince her, knowing there is heartbreak in the truth
"No, Dame, you aren't here and I'm trapped, I'm trapped without you!" Then hit the glass against the marble. She couldn't remember if she'd thrown it out or dropped it by accident, but regardless it shattered at her feet. She watched the shards scatter across the floor, but not a single guest took notice even as they hit their shoes. She looked back up at Damien, who gave her a sad expression, taking her hand delicately in his own, "It's alright," and just like that Charlotte is swept into his arms before she could begin to comprehend what had just happened, a slow jazzy song plays through the room heard even over all the bustling bodies that had overwhelmed her before, and for a moment she forgets all that, her focus is dedicated entirely to Damien as he expertly distracts her from the pain she had begun to feel.
He offers her a small smile, "You are going to be just fine, my love" he says sweetly, and for a moment, she believes it.
The music rises to its climax, and with it Damien and Charlotte soar across the floor, seemingly existing independently from any other couple doing the same, it didn't matter, nothing mattered, for a brief moment, they were all that was. Charlotte closed her eyes blissfully as Damien spun her out and away from him, his fingers slipping subtly from her grasp
The ballroom, which had just been so full of life, was now desolate. Not a soul was left aside from herself, and she instantly felt that pain rip its way to the surface
She called out, yelling for Damien or any of her friends, she even called for Margaret, but it became clear when the sunlight peeked through the ballroom window that no one from the party remained, only Charlotte and her body, lying lifeless on the floor. It didn't even surprise her, to see herself laying there, it made sense after everything that happened, and explained a lot to be quite frank. She could almost remember it when she saw it, too, the loud pop of the gunshot ringing through the room followed by screaming and rushed steps, Damien's voice rang out above all the others, and Charlotte felt like she watched the bloody shoe print form next to her body when she remembered the way he knelt beside her. Small yellow signs littered the area, each with a different number, and tape of the same color seemed to trap her within the room. She looked over to where she thought she'd been standing with Damien just moments ago, finding that the floor remained stained and covered in glass from the drink she'd dropped.
Tears finally began spilling over her cheeks as she remembered it all, the pain in her chest felt like it would rip her apart, she wasn't ready to die, she didn't want to be left here, why hadn't someone taken care of her? Why was no one here? Where else could she go? Charlotte took a deep breath as she ran outside to the balcony, attempting to calm the panic that had nearly consumed her.
"It's alright" Damien had said "You are going to be just fine, my love"
She closed her eyes and gripped the balcony railing as she took a few more deep breaths, willing herself to go back,
And once again, Charlotte found herself on the edge.
