Wood and Skin

The house stood tall. A monument of time, hugged and held by nature.

Over time, heights were gradually cut into the doorway. Wallpaper was traced with fingertips soothing small ones to sleep.

The house took on their smell as if there was no difference between wood and skin

The news of the illness came through the radio. The radio was shut off and placed under the bed where other monsters are kept.

The three children left first. Holes were made six feet deep. He broke the earth with the garden shovel. Framed like an illustration from a fairytale, she overlooked from the bedroom window wearing a crown of sadness.

She adorned their graves with trinkets of their lives. Braided dolls made from the earths green, a heart-shape locket painted in gold, and pieces from a shared family game. Gifts to trade in the afterlife.

The strong winds allowed the house to scream in mourning.

The two that remained, lay paralyzed under dancing dust particles. The clocks continued to tick. Their feet twisted and tangled under the sheets. Anchoring each other to the earth. Without the other they would float away.

Time rudely continued. Snow covered the house and the surrounding trees. Days were filled with survival tasks. She would work in the greenhouse and he would go look for heartbeats to cook.

He saw the figure when hunting for rabbits. Mistaken for owl eyes inside a hallowed tree. The floating golden eyes asked for help and shelter. Curiosity guided them back to the house.

She couldn’t stop gazing at the figure sitting at the wooden table where her family used to gather. The glow of its eyes were warm with comfort. It ate slowly and drank quietly. The hands that held the glass of water resembled long rose stems.

It expressed thanks to the man and woman for the food and warmth. This type of kindness could be rewarded with one gift.

The two wished to be deep in the earth. Blind faith stitched them to the feeling of holding their small ones again.

It agreed and led them to the garden. With the figures kiss they both began to decompose. Limbs, teeth, and hair fed the soil. Their souls were now free to search for their kin.

The tall figure returned back inside the house. It followed the staircase to the second floor and through a door that led into a child’s empty bedroom. The figure lowered its body under the bed. The glow of its eyes slowly faded away.

The house was empty and quiet.