Who: Holden Caufield and ?? What: Running off When: Today Where: Central Park, New York Rating: TBD Status: Incomplete
Feet thumping against the pavement, on and on Holden went as the rain continued to splash against his face. His heart pounding in his chest, the brisk air caused a pain in his lungs. He didn't care. He just needed to run. He needed to leave. At this moment, any place was better than home
It was odd to see Central Park so empty for once but that was the way he wanted it. Tonight, Holden didn't want to people-watch. He didn't want to be seen either. He wanted to be alone, away from the memories, away from the pain. Every now and then he closed his eyes and thought of Allie. Imagining the young man running right along side him, encouraging him to run faster, laughing and jumping. He was always so happy and fun, so playful. Holden grasped the air between his fingertips, as if holding the boy's hand.
"Come on, Allie..." the words slipped from his mouth. "It'll be just me and you!" he called out as the tears began to stream down his face. They were hot, so warm in comparison to the rain which fell so hard it caused his clothes to stick to his body now. Over the bridge Holden finally lost his wind and he had to stop, slipping on the slick wood and falling to his hands and knees. "I can't... I can't do it, Allie... I can't make it..." he whispered, listening to the loud plops of the rain falling into the lake as the water dripped down his cheeks, nose, lips.
Holden looked up, panting, his chest rising and falling. Using the railing to help him up, he leaned over the edge and struggled to catch his breathe. He looked down at the rippling waters, unable to see his reflection in them and wondered... if he were to fall in now... would anyone be there to save him? How long would it take for them to even notice he was gone?