“Just A Second More”

Author’s Note: This is a Take Ten to Write story and has not been proofread for errors. If I feel inspired or if there’s interest in the story, I’ll post a revised, edited, and extended version at a later date. Happy reading!

Prompt: Write a story titled “Just A Second More”.

A single second. That’s all it takes for the world to turn upside down.

As I sat with you, your head in my lap, I tried to focus on your breathing. In… Out… In… Out…

Every second felt like an eternity.

“Time,” you used to say, “is in the eye of the beholder.”

I didn’t used to believe you. Time was supposed to be a reassuring constant. It always moved forward, at a steady pace, no matter what.

But as you lay in my lap, struggling for breath, your hand clutching mine, I realized that you were right. Time couldn’t be trusted. Pain slowed time; panic quickened it.

Even before that blade sank into your heart, the panic set in. Time sped up, but my body didn’t. You hit the ground before I could reach you.

“You need to live life second by second,” you would add with a warm smile. “A second could feel like forever, or it could feel like the blink of an eye. The beauty is experiencing the difference between the two.”

A second passed as I lifted your head gently and you stared up into my eyes. Another second as you smiled in recognition.

“Just wait a second more… You’ll see; everything could change.”

Another second. A breath in. You closed your eyes.

Another second. A breath out. Your grip loosened around my fingers.

Another second. A breath in. Your smile faded.

Another second. A breath out.

Final Comments: I would’ve liked to integrated the ‘sayings’ more naturally; they kind of feel like they’re random interjections right now.

Overall Rating: 😢