A Night To Remember

The Beginning

"Honey?" a man's voice echoed throughout the surrounding darkness of the city. It was panicked and desperate, obviously showing that he was scared for his life. "Come on out now, this is not funny anymore," he rambled, trying to comfort himself by believing that she was just hiding. Aside from an occasional flicker of a light from nearby lampposts, the darkness was impeccable. It had creeped into every nook and cranny of the God forsaken city, even into the minds of its inhabitants. The man being one of them.

He walked closer to the light, grasping onto the tiny sliver of hope that she was nearby. Edging closer and closer to the lamppost, his shoes clattering on the stone floors as he shakily placed his hand on it for support. "It's not funny anymore. Come on honey, let's go home" his voice was now cracking and shaky as he turned around and around shouting for his wife. The man turned and leaned his head on the post, tears streaming freely as he had reached the conclusion that she had been taken from him. "Honey..." his voice was defeated and shaky as he uttered the word. "John? Is that you dear?" a female voice echoed throughout the city, reverberating off of nearby houses and walls. "Honey? Where are you?" hope had been reignited into his soul as he heard her voice.

"I'm over here..." her voice was melodious and almost hypnotic as she sang for her husband. It was almost like she was taunting him. Gaining a general sense of where she was located, John sped off into that direction unafraid and determined. He weaved into an alley between two brickwork houses, styled similarly like those of the tudors and continued running. Too afraid to turn around. Running took its toll on him as he reached a point where he was at a fork in the road. "Honey!" he screamed, hyperventilating and craving her voice. Not replying, he took a chance and turned to his left, running at breakneck speed hoping to find his wife so they could return home. All of this happened because of a random telephone call.

There was still light when they were at home, relaxing as John played a soothing piece on the piano. "John, dear, could you come here for a minute?" his wife beckoned for him to come to her. Obliging to his wife, he ceased his playing and wandered over to her. Her smile was so bright at the time, it was impossible not to be happy. "Yes, dear?" returning the smile, a genuine smile.
"I have great news!" she squealed like a child, only adding to her charm, "I think I'm with child!"
John's face lit up and he embraced his wife and he showered her with kisses. "That is great news!" He placed his rough hands gentle on her slim stomach and beamed up at her, his sleek, dark hair drifting across his face. She reached across and removed the losses strands with her small, delicate fingers as she too beamed with her blonde hair reflecting the sun's light. They could've stayed like that for hours, looking into each other's eyes mesmerised by each other. Until the telephone rang.

As he continued to weave in and out of the buildings, he thought over and over about how happy she was. Her smile. The smile that left everyone else smiling. He couldn't bear to lose it. As he came to a dead end, he thought he must have got the turning wrong. He turned on his heel, fully prepared to leave. Then he heard a rustle. Or more like a thud. Slowly, he turned. And walked towards the wall. Wary of any movement besides his own, he tiptoed his way towards the wall. It's just a rat, nothing else, he told himself. Only to see the one thing he wished to see.

His wife. Her smile. But this time her smile was not one that brought happiness. It was one that brought nightmares.