Despair

Despair

"Freddy, I am sorry to say this, but your parents died in a car crash," reported a policeman.

My eyes widened in disbelief. I questioned him in a shaky voice regarding the truth of what he just said, he replied me with a nod. Eyes that were of sympathy were cast in my direction, but I paid no heed to it. My mind went numb; I did not know what to do or think. For what felt like hours later, the horrible realization came to me: my parents had left and I was alone.

Out of the blue, an uncontrollable surge of intense pain came at me. It was so excruciating that it felt like someone had stabbed through my heart with the sharpest sword. Tears began to trickle down my cheeks. Unable to handle reality, I made a blind dash out of my house, ignoring the guest who brought the dreadful news.

After a lengthy amount of time, I tripped on an obstacle. Still weeping sorrowfully, I took a glance at the surroundings. The silvery moon perched lazily on the vast blue sky. The short high yaps of dogs echoed through the distance. I was in the midst of a lush forest, forlorn and lonely. I did not know where I was; I was lost. The feeling of sadness intensified.

The monotonious creek-creek-creek of the crickets seemed to soothe my woebegone state. However, it was of no help. Sighing, I stood up and ventured about the unknown territory. Moments later, i have up and plopped myself on a patch of grass.

Suddenly, a low growl was heard from behind me. My heart began to race; my mind was in a frenzy: what could be the possible source?

As if on cue, the answer revealed itself from the bushes. It was a wolf. Startled, I let loose a high-pitched shriek. A rush of adrenaline coursed through my veins when the ferocious animal howled and took a leap towards me.

Feeling hopeless and dejected, I closed my eyes and placed my hands by my side, ready to embrace death. Nothing came. In an attempt to understand the scenario, I took a peek. My eyes widened when I witnessed my elder brother wrestling with the fierce creature. He had actually intervened the overgrown-canine's mid-air assault and risked his life in the process. If the carnivore were to feed on him...

Anguish dominated my body- I had already lost my parents, I could not lose my last kin. I was pondering on my next course of action when a shout from my brother broke my train of thoughts.

"Don't just stand there! Do something!"

I jolted and scanned the ground. My eyes were furrowed for the darkness of the night hindered my search; clammy hands were cast around in quest of a potential weapon, but of no avail. The pants of the prey seemed to grow heavier over time, signaling his exhaustion and perhaps, the end of our lives. Desperation hung heavily in the air. When all hope seemed to have lost, the clouds moved away, letting rays of the moon
hit the earth and revealed an axe. Without hestiation, I grabbed hold of it and scurried over to male in distress. I handed him the lethal weapon and he chopped off the predator's head. The decapitated struggled for awhile before it stopped moving. The ordeal was finally over.

Face tainted with a tinge of blood, he looked up at me with a pair of concerned eyes. "Are you okay?" he inquired. I nodded and felt elated for once in the day.

Jubilantly, I held out my hand to him and he took it. Then, he ruffled my hair with the other hand. "Don't go missing again." My heart swelled in happiness at that statement as it dawned to me that I was not alone at all.

Hands still interlinked, we took a stroll back home. I still had my beloved brother, I was not alone in the world. I was no longer in despair.