Scars

     Jennifer looked out her window at the pale moon shining in the night sky. She lingered a moment allowing the ambiguity of the moment wash over her. Her once ceaseless confidence marred by the seeds of doubt. It hadn't been long ago that the same scene had brought her comfort, but all she could find now in the dark clouds racing above was an insecurity like she had never know. She exhaled and watched her breath fog over the translucent pane of glass. Her fingers lightly traced patterns on the cold surface.
    Jennifer's eyes unfocused and she caught sight of her weak reflection. She cringed at the scars running down the side of her once beautiful face. Agonizing sorrow filled her soul and she collapsed in tears. Why? Why was she alone and why did she have to bear this fate? Losing her freedom was bad enough; did she really have to live the rest of her life disfigured and trapped? She lightly traced her fingers over the puffy scar tissue. It felt course and dry. The feeling of it was foreign and wrong.  Her hot tears continued to spill out and roll down her cheeks. Her anguish felt like a weight, crushing her soul. 

    A cruel laugh echoed across the room from the corner, inturupting her quiet sobs. She turned. There sitting in the red high backed chair was Jason. His pale skin seemed to reflect the dim florecent light the way a prism reflects the sun. He was beautiful in a way. 

    Jennifer saw him and her tears stopped. Her sorrow was instantly replaced with rage. Through clenched teeth she said, "leave me alone." Jason laughed again. His laugh rang through the room in a way that made her skin crawl. "You know I'm entitled to these visits," he said. "I've come to collect what's mine." This brought back the tears. Jennifer's felt her legs go weak and she collapsed in a heap on the floor. Jason walked over to to her and put his hand on her cheek. His fingers were ice cold against her skin, it almost burned. She jerked back. This close she could smell him. He smelled rotten, like something that had been left to decay. She looked up into his face and smiled. She could see the cracks running over his skin. She threw her head back and laughed triumphantly. "It's getting worse you know," she said proudly. "I won't last forever and then what will you do?" "We'll see," he said tightly as he stretched out his hand again. Jennifer braced herself for the pain she knew was coming. She had no way to resist him, the contract kept her bound. He placed his index finger against her cheek. She felt the searing agony rip through her as he slid it down burning her flesh as it went. Her eyes began to flutter, she saw the cracks in his skin healing and his smell became more and more pleasant. He released her. And appraised himself. He smiled. "That will do for now," he smirked. And then he was gone and she was alone again. Jennifer struggled to lift herself off the ground and made her way to the  desk. She wrapped her hands around the letter opener and jammed it into her throat. She felt warm blood cascade down her front she fell to the ground. She laughed to herself knowing it probably wouldn't work. Her eyes glazed and her breath faded. She woke up in her bed. She walked to the window and inspected her reflection. The mark where Jason had burned her was already healed and scared. Her screams fell on an empty room. 

                          The end