31 March 2012
A Kind Of Devotion [Short Story]
Arena Cathrow is 18. She lives in New York. Her family kicked her out when she was 17. When she got kicked out, she went to go live with her best friend Alec Hate. Alec was always there for Arena. For Arena has mental problems. One of them cause her to black out at anytime and just stay still for who knows how long. Another causes her to see things different from the rest of the world, she has a different point of view of the world around her. She see things as abstract lines and words as shapes. She has a hard time telling right from left. Arena is also bipolar. Arena has a difficult life because of her problems, but with her best friend Alec she can cope with it. Alec was always there for Arena in her time of need, when nobody else was. Alex was her best friend, she loves him with all her heart, but she doesn't know if he feels the same. Alec and Arena live in an abandoned warehouse that they converted into an amazing house. They made many levels of the house into a uniquie space. On the first level Alec made a sound booth, and a place for his drums, guitar, keyboard and microphone. Then on a different half of the level Arena created a little dance studio for herself. On the second level they built a theater and a huge living room. On the third level they found two large warehouse rooms, and turned them into bedrooms. With the rest of the room on the floor made into a kitchen and bathroom. Then there was the third level, that was completely empty. No rooms anywhere! The two of them hooked up some speakers and it turned into their favorite area; it was their own world. In that level hung pictures, drawings, paintings, stories, sheet music, achievements, it was there level of fame. Up above in the ceiling was stairs to the top of the building, Alex would sometimes bring an instrument, speakers and a mic for Arena and himself to play some music for those who clearly listen.
~Around Five Years Later~
Soon Arena and Alex got older; and Arena's problems have gotten worse. Alec got fired from him job at the auto shop, and needed to find another job. One night when Alec and Arena was walking home from a restaurant, somebody tried to jump them. Arena was frightened, and Alex didn't know what to do. So he fought back, knocked the person out, carried Arena and raced back home. They didn't have money, and they needed to pay for the warehouse, and needed to buy some more food and clothes.
~Three Months Later~
Alec needed a job, Arena wasn't qualified for really anything, and they didn't have enough money in their savings to pay for the warehouse, food, and clothes. Their last choice was to sell everything; that was difficult because everything, their heart and soul, was put into the warehouses. Luckily soon Alec found another job, it was low budget, but enough to pay for their lifestyle.
~Five Years Later~
Arena started to have an even more difficult time adjusting with things, she only remembers how to really do two things, dance and play music; absolutely NOTHING else. Arena started to have more issues, she started to become mute So when she started to talk she wouldn't sign, she would dance. Alec was astonished by what he saw. For even though that Arena could have a chance of death at any moment, she used her passions to live. Alec got a new job at a music shop, but he was always afraid to leave Arena at home now. Knowing that Arena could pass at any moment, Alex asked his boss if he could bring Arena along with him. At first Alec's boss didn't really like the idea; but once Alec explained why he couldn't leave Arena his side, his boss accepted it. His boss actually realized it was good for the business whenever Arena came, which was always. arena played music in the store, or she would dance around in the front of the store. Arena made money this way, like a street performer. She luckily as able to help Alec more with everything now, even though she couldn't really do anything.
~A Month Later~
Alec proposed to Arena. Arena didn't say yes, she danced her way of saying it. She was mute, not deaf. She didn't use sign language, she danced. Then two months later, they had gotten married. Their wasn't a lot of people, not a lot of people got along with them. Still it was better because they didn't have to deL with a lot of peoples drama. Then one day Arena was just watching a movie with Alec, smiling and then she fell to the floor knocked unconscious. Alec had a reflex to carry her as put her in the car and drive her to the hospital; that's what he did. When they got to the hospital, Arena was hardly breathing. The doctors hooked her up to IV and a lot more doctor instruments. SHE WAS LIKE THIS FOR TWO WEEKS… Arena finally got out of the hospital some what feeling better now. Alec was devoted of taking care of her for the rest of her life; sickness and in health, 'til death do they part. Arena wasn't only his wife, but of course his best friend. He had to make sure Arena could live while she can, and live it well. Life for them went on like it was, sort of. Arena started to notice that Alec was constantly stressed out and Arena knew it was because of how hard he had to work keeping up with everything (bills, job, taking care of Arena, etc). Arena went to a performing art center near by and signed, asking to dance around with them. Alec got a little worried about her, but if Arena loved it, Alec didn't have the heart to stop her. All the people who watched Arena perform were stunned that a girl with mental issues could be so amazing. Arena thought it would make Alec less worried, but it just made him a little more worried. Alec was devoted to Arena, as Arena was devoted to Alec. Arena tried to find a way explaining to Alex that he shouldn't worry, that he should be proud; except Alec just couldn't understand. During the spare time that they had, they would spend all of it with each other. Alec calmed down for a while and Arena did as well. Everything was alright once again.
~Seven Years Later~
Alec passed away, a drunk diver hit him when Alec was walking home to Arena when he went out just to get their mail outside the warehouse. You couldn't imagine what just happened to Arena. She lost her husband, her best friend, the only one who knew what she has to do and go through to survive, the only one who loves her so truly. And she lost him, she has now nobody. No family, no friends, the only others she knows is Alec's boss and the ones she dances with. She can't stay with them, she can't leave her home. It's all she has now of Alec. Arena didn't know what to do now, she hit a state of depression. She started to also just go up to the roof and play Alec's keyboard and just cry. She started performing her music publicly at the performing arts center to support herself, also adding the money she already made dancing. Playing music reminded of her of Alec, when the played together peacefully for all to hear on the roof. Music brought up wonderful memories, it felt like it's brought back Alec. She realized that music saved her from crying wasting away her tears. She kept dancing, remembering when she could talk, remembering when she was younger how youthful she felt. Realizing dance saved her soul.
~Two Weeks Later~
Arena was dancing when she felt light headed, she passed out. Rushed to the hospital. Low blood pressure, low on oxygen, to much exercise. Because of her issues adding onto that. She passed away just an hour later. Buried next to Alec, so peacefully finally at rest.
The End
A Different Kind Of Devotion • Opuss № I