The Treasure
Uploaded by stefenietan on Dec 10, 2005
Isabel leaned her forehead down on the windowpane and sighed deeply. The icy glass seared her burning flesh and sent a rattling shiver down her spine that reverberated to her fingertips. She peered into the room almost longingly. The first thing that caught her eye was the crackling fire dancing in the old, brick fireplace. The light from the fire flickered on the walls, illuminating and casting shadows all at once on the black and white photographs that hung all around the room. The pictures were vibrant and full of life, even when devoid of colour. They were snapshots of the best moments in life; Andy's life. He was there. Sitting on that thick, creamy carpet, in the midst of all his toys and playmates, right in front of the fireplace. They were flanked by two huge armchairs lined with large cushions and fluffy throw rugs. Nearby was a solid wooden table, remnants of a recent meal still lying on it. There were rows and rows of books lined up in the low cabinets, books filled with colour and pictures and laughter. How Isabel longed to read those books.
She sighed once more, her breath momentarily fogging up the window.
A small smile crept onto her face when Andy laughed out loud, a look of pure joy etched on his face.
Isabel suddenly decided that she didn't mind the cold or the loneliness, as long as Andy was happy.
Before Isabel could finish thinking that thought, like magic, Andy turned towards her and smiled lovingly.
Her heart gave a little jump. She watched, almost in a trance as he got up from his place and left his friends. Before she could respond, he was standing in front of her, one hand on the doorknob and the other outstretched to her. He was smiling down apologetically on her, almost as if he was asking for her forgiveness. She smiled unsurely at him and tentatively took his outstretched hand. His warm fingers curled around her frostbitten ones and he pulled her into his warm, gentle embrace. For a moment, the rest of the world melted away and Andy became Isabel's world.
They settled down on the doorstep, Isabel comfortably encased in Andy's arms. For hours they sat, leisurely talking about everything and anything and nothing. The outside world seemed so far away from the both of them. Their world was each other and nothing else could infiltrate into...