brought life to the illusion - This painful illusion.
"Honey, you have to eat something today," he said softly as he entered the room and sat down on the stool next to her bed.
He held a small bowl of soup in one hand and a spoon in the other. The hot soup was sending tendrils if white steam up to play among deep golden sunrays trickling in though the white cotton curtains. She looked at him, those eyes looked so sad she almost believed them to be sincere. But she knew better. She knew his true self: A liar. A master of illusions. He knew, oh he knew what he had done to her.
"I don't want it," she sighed at him.
"Please Karen, you have to eat or you'll…" he said lifting the soup filled spoon in her direction.
"Or I'll what? Die!?" She snapped at him and the anger and mocking tone in her voice startled him. Suddenly, sadness and fear were playing all over his face. He put down the spoon and silently turned away, as if it was too hard for him to even look at her.
"I'm as good as dead, and you know it." She hissed at him with as much strength she could muster.
"I'm sorry, my love…" he whispered sadly. He turned back to face her, kissed her gently on her forehead then got up from the stool and slowly walked out to the kitchen again.
She felt a wave of disgust roll over her as she looked at him leave. How could he have done this to her? His lies were causing her all this pain. It was him, and him alone, who made her feel this way. Curse him and cursed be his illusions and trickery!
She had believed in them all; his promises of undying love, that they would always be together. He had sworn to love her for eternity. He had promised her she would never ever be alone again. But it was all an illusion. It was all lies. She could see it now. His promises were empty, always had been.
Some long since dead philosopher's words were still echoing in her head: "Everybody dies alone". Well, she was alone now, utterly alone. The illusion was shattered. He would not be by her
side forever, nor would he love her for all eternity. She was alone in her disease, and she would be as alone in death.
She was awakened from her thoughts as she heard the kitchen faucet stop running. This meant he would be back soon. He always came back to sit by her side when he was done with the dishes. He would sit by her side until the sun had completely set, and then he would fall asleep stroking her hand in the darkness. He had done so every day for the last year.
As she heard the last plates being put back into their cupboard, she slowly stretched out her hand to reach the nightstand drawer. It was painful to even move and her muscles almost didn't obey her. But mind ruled over flesh, and by the time he reached the doorway she held it in her hands, the barrel of the gun aiming for his heart.
She refused to be alone! He had promised her! She would untell his lies. He would love her forever. She would never be alone again. Ever! Not even in death!
"Honey, wha...?" he began shocked
and frightened. Then, a deafening bang, and the bullet silenced him abruptly. Seconds later, another bang filled the room.
Together.
Forever.
Never alone.