Sophie

She was so innocent. Head full of ideas, heart full of dreams. She was the best friend a girl (or a boy) could ever ask for. But that was before. Before her ideas got laughed at. Her dreams were shattered. And her friends forsaked her. That was before the case.

Sophie was a teen back then. Vibrant, full of life. Brown-blonde hair. Long. Grey eyes. Tom was her boyfriend back then. She was prone to sadness. But she was also zesty and happy. But Tom wouldn’t have let that go on. He would derail her.

Whenever she was happy, he’d bring her down. Whenever she laughed, he stared angrily and she would be scared. But she was with him for one month and then her dad found out. “Why? Why are you with him? He’s bad news! Like really, really bad news! Here,” he threw a soft covered book she read and two of her clothes, “we’re moving away. Away from that Tom.” She smiled inside.

And her youth kept pulsing on. She made new friends, kept a certain contact with her old friends, and kept living. Thriving. She did well in school, she had a little business online where she sold her art, which was a success. She was a gifted artist. So qualified that even artists with long years of art behind them envied her. “How is she doing that? Her artworks keep being sold by the minute!” They thought to themselves, pondering how they could succeed like her.

But Tom was around the corner. Five years afterwards, Sophie was a well known artist. She had shown her art in galleries. Some of the galleries were of her photography, nature ones brimming with life, oozing creativity. Carrying the spirit of a lover, of a compassionate soul. But that will be taken away from her.

They met at one of the art parties she went to. Another 5 years had passed. She was overjoyed because her friend achieved a notable reward, and that’s why they were partying. Ahe was also a bit tired and sad because deep down something was missing. She had all the awards and acclaims, but she was 27 with no children, no personal life. He saw her at that party. Recognized her straight away.

“They said 20:00 sharp,” he said, “it’s 21:00 now. What happened?” He smiled. His smile was forced, uneasy. Like he’s scheming something. Like she’s the prey and he’s the predator. She didn’t know he was following her online. Stocking. Waiting for the right moment to attack. She excused herself and escaped. When she ran, she thought, “am I going to die?”

He followed her, running. He drugged her champagne, and she fell to the ground. She felt so dizzy. She fainted. He shot a bullet to her heart. But she didn’t die. Well, almost. But she’s been in a coma. She’s been in a coma for 5 years.

Nightmares caught up to her. Nightmares of betrayed friends. How she had desicated all of her time to her art. They screamed at her, “why didn’t you see me?! We grew up together, how could you?” Only one friend arrived to visit her. Olivia. And she was angry too. That her friend has been taken away from her. She didn’t care about Sophie hurting her, because Sophie was a kind soul, and she saw her distress.

Under all of her pretenses, Olivia saw a spirit yelling to be helped out, to be recognized not only for her heart, but for her suffering, for her love. Olivia talked to her, offering solace in her words. And pain. She said that she is right by her side, always. That she loves her. That she cares. She also said with sadness and tremble in her vocal cords that everything’s changed now. People don’t know who Sophie is anymore. She’s a stranger to them. One say, Olivia cried.

“You’re my only friend! This Tom killed my brother in a fight, and you’re all I have! We grew up together… You’re like a sister to me! please - please - wake up…” And she did. At first, she moved her fingers. gently, like a butterfly fluttering its wings. Olivia didn’t notice. Then, Sophie’s heart rate went up. Went wild, to be more precise. Olivia panicked. “You’re back, you’re back, Sophie! You’re back.” She then softly kissed her head. The doctors entered the room in haste. Sophie was healed.

But nothing was as before. All of Sophie’s friends dispersed. Even Olivia, for a little while. But their relationship was weird, as for now. Because Olivia was ashamed of her outbreak where she said to Sophie she’s like her sister. That’s due to the fact that her real sister needed her at that time, and she wasn’t there for her. She was there for Sophie. And she was also ashamed due to her being so emotional.

Sophie was a stranger to the world. Though it’s been 5 years and not 15. And Tom was still out there, free. She was enslaved to her feelings, and he was free… 5. This cursed number. She thought. They say it’s an angel number for change, when repeated. Well, for her it’s been a terrible one. And she’ll never be the same. Life will never return to innocence, she thought.