Night Elf

December 21st 2010. That was the night I died.

It was written on her journal. It was in her handwriting, but she could not recall when or why. She doesn't understand what it means. It is only the 12th.

A premonition? Did I travel back in time to warn myself? She thought.

Lately, Taleh have been hearing voices, seeing things that weren't there. She didn't dare to say anything to her girlfriend, Saffron. She'd accuse her of being an addict with her collection of pills. Downers, check. Uppers, check. She could be a dealer if she wants, but she loves her pills too much to sell them.

She looks around her apartment, she sees black chairs strewn on the wooden floor. The kitchen so filthy, she doesn't know where to start cleaning. Couldn't be bothered to. Bills lay around the table. Her I don't give a fuck attitude has always been a problem for their relationship.

Saffron used to take care of her every time she's not herself. She'd tell her that she watched too much movies and that is fiction and that she would bring her back. She is Taleh's saving grace. Until Saffron refused to see her until she gets sober, sober enough to have a real conversation. The fights have gotten so bad to the point where Saffron just cries all night. The sight of her crying, her face buried on her hands.., a part of her died. Taleh knew she couldn't hurt her anymore. Never before she felt so much hatred of herself, promising she will never let anyone hurt her when she is the one hurting her. Unbearable pain. She knew they needed this break.

Saffron is perfect for Taleh, but she's not perfect for Saffron.

She sat on her dinner table, moving the glass and plate away, making room for her journal. She had the weirdest dream last night.

I was in the middle of nowhere covered in snow. Walked around until I stumble with this elf. His skin is so pale, his teeth so crooked, his clothes are torn. But I wasn't scared. He held my hand, guided me to a frozen river. I walked to the middle, the thin ice cracked, I drowned, swallowing the freezing ice water, I felt my heart changing temperature. Suddenly I was in my apartment. The elf stood next to Saffron, stroking her hair, he kissed her forehead, she didn't move, she was sleeping. He then hurriedly walked towards me and muttered something I couldn't make out. What the fuck does that mean? Fucking fuckface. Voices? Random writings appearing? Elf? Fuck.

She lay back on the chair, lazily she reaches for her cigarette, lights it up, inhaling deeply, the smoke is so thick she caught a little bit on her eye. She wipes the tear away. She slouches back on the chair, starring at the ceiling.

She suddenly feels a presence. She looks around the living room. There's an elf sitting on her couch. Starring at her. Exactly like the one on her dream.

"She never woke up"

"What? Who?"

"She never woke up. December 21st 2010. That was the night I died."

"What the fuck! What are you?!"

She gets up, reaches for the ashtray, throwing it to the elf.

There was nothing there. She was alone. She was stunned. Shook her head she then walked toward her bedroom. She threw herself on the bed. She looked so bright in her dark room. Her pant is the colour of orange pumpkin, her shirt is the colour of a disco ball, her hair so greasy, so shiny, she can fry eggs. She looked so disconnected. She closes her eyes and wishes for a good sleep.

Morning comes. The sunlight hits her eyes. She hates being woken up by lights, hurts her eyes. She stretches her arms and legs, knocking the blanket to the floor. She feels a breeze, freezing breeze. I really should take a shower. She forces herself to get up. Stripping herself on her way to the bathroom. She feels every drop of water streaming down her body and she relaxes herself. She scrubs slowly, massaging her shoulders, cleaning every inch of her body, squirts her shampoo onto her hands, dumps it on her head, again massaging, putting more pressure. Her bathroom is so steamy she finds it hard to breath. She washes off the soap and shampoo, turning the water off.

She jumps out of the shower only to be surprised. There he was, the elf. She was so shocked her heart is beating so hard she could hear it. So shocked she couldn't scream. She stood there not knowing what to do.

*Rrrriiiiiingg

She quickly turns her eyes on her phone.

He's gone.

She ran to her bedroom, its Saffron. She didn't pick up. She later checks her voicemail.

"Taleh, where are you? I'm worried okay I haven't seen you or talk to you for a week. I know we're on a break, but, please just let me know how you're doing. If you don't give me a call in two days I'm coming there okay. I love you."

She hung up her phone. Her face went so pale. She remembered something disturbing. In two days, it'll be the 21st of December.

She looks for fresh clothes to wear. She put on her black hipster underwear and a white singlet. She feels her stomach rumbling.