Ruby Sparks

(Vol. 11 | Spring 2024 - Cowley Student)

In the quiet moments of our shared bedroom, I find myself lost in the depths of Calvin’s world. My initial excitement of discovering someone who I feel completes me fades into the routine of our daily lives. Yet, beneath this perfection, a storm brews, threatening to shatter the fragile illusion of our perfect love.

As days turn into weeks, I begin to notice subtle shifts in Calvin’s behavior. His once-endearing quirks now seem like markers of his newfound possessiveness, his need for control slowly suffocating me. With each of our passing moments, doubts plague the edges of my consciousness, telling me that perhaps I am nothing more than a character in Calvin’s story, fit to mold into his desires.

As I wake up next to Calvin, a sense of unease lingers in the morning light. Despite our apparent happiness, doubt creeps in, suggesting that things may not be as perfect as they seem. It is a feeling that will not go away, hinting that there might be hidden troubles beneath our surface contentment. So, as we go about our day, I cannot help but wonder if there is more to our love story than meets the eye.

The tension between us soars as Calvin’s insecurities rise, his mood swinging from admiration to frustration. Full of emotional turmoil, I find myself walking on eggshells, trying to anticipate his every vagary, all the while wondering if this is what it truly feels like or if I am merely a pawn in his game.

But as the grip Calvin has on me tightens, I can no longer ignore the nagging feeling that something is fundamentally wrong. His attempts to manipulate me through his writing leave me feeling suffocated, trapped by the weight of his words. Yet, even as I struggle against his control, a part of me still clings to the hope that the man I fell in love with is buried somewhere beneath the layers of his creation.

The tension between Calvin and me reaches its breaking point one fateful evening. It is as if the air in our once cozy bedroom has turned heavy with the weight of our unspoken truths. I can feel his gaze burning into me, his eyes no longer holding the warmth I once knew but rather a chilling intensity that sends shivers down my spine.

As I gather the courage to confront him about his increasingly controlling behavior, his façade of charming essence crumbles away, revealing the depths of his obsession with me. His every word cut through the silence like a knife, each one dripping with venom as he confesses to manipulating my every move through his writing.

Shock courses within me, sending waves of disbelief crashing over me. The realization hits me like a punch to the gut – the man I thought I knew, the man I loved, is nothing more than a puppeteer pulling my strings for his amusement. Betrayal and anger overcome me, igniting an urge of defiance that holds stronger with each passing moment.

With shaking hands, I grab the notebook from his grasp, the pages falling in protest as I tear through them with savagery born of my desperation. Each torn page feels like a reclamation towards my being, my sense of being no longer dictated by his typewriter but by the strength of my own will.

But Calvin refuses to let go of his control over me, his desperation apparent as he tries to reel me back in with promises of devotion and love. Yet now I see through his act, recognizing it for its true manipulation. His words are brushed aside as I steel myself against his empty promises.

In a moment of clarity, I realize that I have the power to write my own story, to create my own reality free from Calvin’s influence. With determination, I declare my independence, severing the chains that once held us together. The weight of his expectations falls, leaving me free to embrace the uncertain future that lies ahead.

As I walk away from him, leaving behind the shattered remnants of his façade, I feel a sense of pride wash over me. Though the road ahead may be uncertain, I know that I am now free to write my own destiny, no longer confined by the writing of Calvin’s narrative. With each step I take, I carry with me the knowledge that I am the creator of my own story and that my voice will never be silenced again.