Random Oneshots

Vision

"Zeno?" A muffled voice called.

"Zeno!" I felt a hand tug on my shoulder.

I shake my head slightly, getting the alarming image out of my head. I saw the guy that was walking in front of me. I wonder when he is going to die. I wonder if I look in the mirror right before I die if I'd be able to see myself.

"Zeno, you are zoning out. Are you alright?" my dad asked. "You almost ran into a lamp post. I tried to pull you away but you seemed determined."

"Oh. I'm sorry, I didnt realize I was spacing out." I replied to him.

He ruffled my hair, "Don't worry about it kid. Although, you should use your cane like you're supposed to. Not just hold it. You gotta swing it around so you can feel the things around you."

I sigh and nod my head sarcastically. I've been blind my whole life. My parents treat me like I'm made of glass and honestly it drives me insane. Dad should have just let me run into the lamp post, it would have taught me not to zone out while I'm walking.

After a few steps in silence and tugging on my sleeve to keep me from hitting things, dad wraps his arm around my shoulders, "Come on champ, let's go home and see if your mom has prepared dinner yet." I frown. I wish he would stop calling me champ. Champ is something you call your son when you go into the yard and toss a ball.

"Does that sound good, Zeno?"

I nod and let him guide me home. We finally arrived and dad helped me up the porch steps and opened the door for me.

"Mom we're home," I shout into the house.

"Okay! Dinner should be done in a little bit."

"I'll be in my room, holler at me when it's done," I felt dad pat my shoulder and walk away.

I put my cane away and took my shoes off in the foyer and started to navigate my way through the house. My destination, up the stairs and into my room. I've lived here for as long as I can remember. I could tell you about every nook and cranny there is. The cold, hard-wood floors, the small dent in the wall where I literally ran into the wall as a young child, and that awkward stair I always end up tripping on.

The stair held true to its tradition as I got to the top of the staircase. My foot got caught and I tripped and landed on my shin. Groaning in slight pain, I sprawled out on the floor and waited for the throbbing in my leg to go away.

"You okay? Anything hurt?" My mom asked from the bottom of the stairs. She was used to me tripping on this stair but always made sure I didn't injure anything.

"Yeah I'm fine. My pride is a little hurt though."

I could hear her walking away, "I think your pride will survive."

"Probably," I whispered. I hauled myself up off the floor and felt for the wall to feel where I was. I felt along and reached a doorknob and immediately backed away. This room was too close to the stairs to be mine. This was my grandma's old room.

Four years ago, I got the first glimpse of my life and my grandma died. Four years ago, I heard my grandma call for me and as I opened her door I could see her. Four years ago when I could finally see her I could only describe her looks as what I assume was horrible. Four years ago, I could see her life leave her eyes and my vision faded away again.

I was finally able to see and the first and only thing I saw was my best friend dying. After that experience, I didn't particularly envy anyone with sight.

"Zeno! Dinner is ready," my mom calls to me. I shook off the sad memories and carefully made my way down the stairs and into the kitchen to sit at the table. Mom set the food down in a circle and told me what food was at what o'clock so I could make my own plate. After a while, my dad cleared his throat and set his silverware down with a faint clink. 

"So tomorrow is the anniversary of grandma's death." I nod slightly and he continues, "I figured we'd all go out and visit her grave." I froze. I haven't been there since her burial. I don't know if I can handle all the memories that might resurface.

"Can I pass? I don't want to remember that horrible day," I ask my parents. I hear my mom slam her silverware on the table. It was a particularly loud thunk.

"No, Zeno. You can't 'pass'. We haven't been up there at all. We could show a little respect and go give her some pretty flowers," she yelled at me. I could feel her directing her anger at me.

I snapped, "It's not like I would even be able to see the flowers let alone the grave. Hell I haven't even seen her before." I stood up quickly accidentally knocking my chair over and stormed to my room. I slammed my door and fell to my bed and started crying. No one knows that I can see people right before they die. I think if they did know I'd be judged even more.

Dinner was done and my eyes had finally dried when I heard knocking on the front door. Why would anyone be here at this hour? I got up, wiped my puffy eyes, and went to stand at the top of the stairs feeling as I went. I angled my head towards the door so I could hear and saw my dad. My eyes widened and I swiveled my head  to face the dining room and saw my mom. I looked back to my dad and saw that he was talking but I couldn't see who he was talking to. No, no, no, I thought, not again. I started down the stairs when I saw my dad's neck split open and blood started pouring out. My mom heard the commotion and came to investigate, "NO MOM!" I started to say but it was too late. Her neck split open like dad's and she fell to the ground with a loud thunk like her silverware did. I heard footsteps run towards me but I still couldn't see anyone except my dying parents on the floor.

My vision started to fade out again when I felt pain shoot through my neck and warmth flow over my front. It's sad. The first thing I saw was death and the last thing I saw was death.