Issue 1 - November 2007 - Prose
She stopped the car by Lindis Kipp
She stopped the car. The village looked like any other mountain village: Small, yellowish houses were crammed in the little space there was between massive rocks and one single dusty street wound itself through it. Chicken were pecking in front of the doors, and an old dog was taking a nap. The bell of the small church rang. To her, it was an empty, lonely sound. She got out of the car and was hit by the smouldering midday heat. Her camel coat was much too warm for this climate, but she did not want to leave it in the car. Fanning her face with one hand, she walked towards a small building. She knocked carefully, and someone inside grunted "Enter.." She pushed open the door. Her eyes had to adjust to the dim light of the small shack, but she could make out the shape of a table and saw a chair with a man on it, lazily leaning back, his feet resting on the table. She entered and could finally see his face. He was almost as pretty as she remembered. His hair was longer and dirty, it hung into his face and clung to his hollow cheeks, the rough stubble of a week devoid of shaving showing. His whole body was more muscular, not an ounce of fat showing. His lips still had their sensual, alluring shape, but right now they were dry and sprung. The most dramatic change, however, was in his eyes. They were still of an unbelievably clear grey, drawing their opposite into unknown depths, but the joy and hope of youth had vanished and were replaced by something bitter and frightening. These eyes spoke of unwanted terror and horrible deeds, of hurt hearts and broken lives. Despair seemed to seep out of them, but when he recognised her, the old flame sprung back to life. "Mara.." His voice was coarse, used to screaming and to the harsh mountain air. Ten years in the Legion had demanded a high price. He stood up, not believing his eyes. "You look.... beautiful." He thought that even that was an understatement. Her hair tumbled down her back in a thick auburn wave, its shine slightly dull with street dust. Diamond earrings sparkled in her ears, matched by a simple pearl necklace that accentuated her slender neck. She had lost weight in all those years, but most of her body was hidden beneath the expensive cream coloured coat anyway. His eyes were locked with hers, detecting the same sadness and longing in their amber shine that he knew from his own. They simply stood there for a little eternity, trying to grasp their feelings, trying to understand the surge that was driving them towards each other. Then, without warning, she stepped towards him and kissed him. Her coral lipstick crashed with his burned, rough lips and they sank into a feverish kiss, devouring each other with all their might. He dragged her closer and closer, wanting to drag her into himself, never to let go. All the desperation and waiting of ten long years exploded in the meeting of their mouths and they had to be careful not to hurt each other. Her mouth rasped over his cheek as she gently tugged his earlobe with her teeth and whispered in an urgent voice filled with tears of joy " I missed you so much, so much."