• Not Any More

    By Danica Rose Hunt

    October 18th, 2006

    (Short Story)

    “So explain to me what happened Gage.” The police officer said with his tape recorder at hand. I shivered in the cold hospital before I replied. Starting out slowly I began. “It was like any other day at Bendial High School.” I sighed and continued, but not before the officer spoke. “It’s alright, take your time.” I looked out a window; it was snowing perfect little flakes of white on the outside of the hospital walls.

    (Flashback)

    “It was a normal Tuesday morning with me, Zath, and Deshi were walking to out first class, English with Mr. Jaggoth. “Hey Gage, we’ll be in the classroom in a minute.” Zath said without emotion. “Okay Zath, see you two inside.” I replied walking into the classroom taking my assigned seat. Only a few minutes later did they come into the classroom. Zath took his normal seat in front of me and seemed aggravated and Deshi took her seat too my right and looked highly upset, but then again they always did in the mornings, so I thought nothing of it. The class came and went the day was normal just like every other day. When school ended I walked Deshi home and Zath took the bus like we’d always had done.”

    (Flashback end)

    “It wasn’t until I saw Zath do what he had been doing to Deshi until the next night.” I looked down at my feet as I finished talking. “Well I believe we know and probably will get the rest of the story from Zath.” The officer tuned off the recorder and left knowing of my discomfort. I went into Deshi’s hospital room looking at her body, so bruised and distraught.

    I began to talk to Deshi though she was unconscious. “Deshi I’m sorry I wasn’t there in time. I’m sorry I couldn’t help. I wish I knew earlier.” I finished, kissing her softly on her forehead. Bandages covered almost every inch of her body. I’ve had a crush on her since I’ve known her 4 years ago. I still remember the first and last day I saw her.

    She walked into Bendial High our freshmen year. Her long shoulder length raven hair flowing softly in the florescent lighting, her black eyes, lips, and fingernails astonished me. A gothic beauty had walked through the hallways like a goddess, with her pale skin and gorgeous frozen icy blue eyes. I knew then that I wished for her to be mine. Little did I know that was the last time I saw her that way when she met Zath (my best friend). She wouldn’t be the same goddess I’d come to adore after Zath was done.

    The night was young and school was out for winter break. The snow had just begun to fall in the dead of the December winter night as I walked over to Deshi’s house to finally confess my obsession to her. It was the night before Christmas Eve and as I arrived on Deshi’s front porch I saw the most horrific thing Zath has ever done in the 18 years I’ve known him. At this point Zath and Deshi weren’t even going out for more than a month and the relationship was already going down to a horrible end.

    Inside Zath and Deshi were yelling at one another. Zath in his cargo pants now ripped by Deshi and without a shirt. The horror began. It started with his hand balled up into a fist and ended up coming across full force into Deshi’s stomach. I could hear her gasping for air and coughing hard her body on the floor. I couldn’t watch much more. I felt sick to my own stomach as I fell to my knees. I turned around and began to run away. I felt horrible just running away like that, from the girl I loved. I had to run back the 3 blocks I had moved.

    Moving as fast as I could back to her house I was too late Zath was gone and Deshi was no where to be found. I couldn’t help any more. I walked down her driveway my head hung low as tears fell from my dark brown eyes onto my AFI hoodie. It was cold but I couldn’t understand why I was cold. Normally I’m warm when I wear my AFI hat, hoodie, and baggy Tripp pants, and skater shoes. I turned around to take one last look at the house when I heard a shriek of terror. It was Deshi’s voice I’d recognize it a mile away. Running fast I kicked open the front door, dashing up the stairs to her bedroom. And there she was hanging from her ceiling fan unconscious by a rope tightly around her neck.

    Slowly and carefully I removed the noose from her neck and then the fan and laid her upon her bed. Her wrists were slit open horizontally over and over again (about 5 times for each arm). She was bleeding heavily on her bed. I grabbed the closest cloth fast and ripped it up bandaging up her wounds to slow down the bleeding. Calling 911 immediately afterward.

    The ambulance came in a flash and the paramedics came up the stairs even faster. They check everything on her body and quickly carried her down the stairs and outside putting her on a stretcher. I never left her side. Though as soon as we arrived in the emergency room they separated us. A few hours later the police came asking me questions and left. Only a half hour after that Zath Kashi was put into custody and a few months after long court dates was he sentenced to life in prison for abuse and an aid in he suicide of Deshi Lesha Ahleh.

    Now I’m sitting here next to Deshi’s tattered body expressing my love for her. Resting my head on her pillow I grasp her hand gently. “Deshi, I love you.” I spoke softly into her ear. Her eyes opened a slight bit. She smiled for the first time in years. She grasped my hand a tiny bit and in a raspy voice she spoke. “I love you too Gage.” Her eyes closed peacefully, her grip loosened, and the heart monitor slowed down. And then she died blissfully into eternal happiness. Finally free.

    Days, months, and years have past and I will never forget my gothic goddess. Her memory will be in my heart, mind, and soul until the day I am reunited with Deshi Lesha Ahleh. That is my story and my 1st and only love.

    THE END.