The Unpublished Endings

Hope: A Short Story

It wasn't supposed to end like this. Everything had been going according to plan just moments ago. There was a young female protagonist, a cute boy, an unrealistically risky plan to save everyone from impending doom, the whole shebang. And yet, it didn't work. Everyone rushed out of their homes in shock, and with a small shake of her head, tears in her eyes, they all knew; they knew this was it. It was over. None of them had expected it all to end so soon and in this manner. The hero hadn't been able to save the day. As this realization struck the town, a silence fell upon them, so full of grief that even the angels hushed their joyous noise. All of the townsfolk, cursed where they stood, waited and listened and prayed. 

"Look everyone! There's a car coming!" exclaimed a young boy.

Sure enough, a bright yellow vehicle flew over the hill only to slow when the driver noticed the people gathered together in despair. The man behind the wheel hurriedly averted his eyes as everyone froze, captivated by the newcomer that hadn't heard the news. The little boy ran up to the car and pleaded with the man, "Sir, you must turn around! This town and everyone in it is cursed! You will die, Sir, please". The man, who had been trying so desperately to avoid the sorrowful stares of the people, couldn't resist turning to the begging child that had only wished to save him. 

When the driver showed his face, a gasp of recognition scattered throughout the crowd. Optimistic whispers scurried from person to person as they registered the mans identity. They knew him well, as any of us would. This was Hope, in the flesh. This was the exact individual they had all been praying for. Here he was, staring back at them as their hearts fluttered with the idea of refuge. His eyes perused the mass of townspeople and soaked in their pitiful appearance.  He knew that he could save them, but it would most likely cost him his own life. 

When his gaze landed back on the young boy, he couldn't bare to look upon them any longer. He hastily turned away, his mind already made and unwilling to be changed. The child knew then, before the others, that it was a lost cause. With that, the people gaped as Hope raced off into the night. And the goddamned coward didn't even stop to look back.