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Inspiration; A short story concept inspired by the song Sugar honey iced & tea, by Bring me the Horizon. I chose to use a line from the song instead. 'Block out the sadness' to begin this story.
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Block out the sadness, she told herself, pulling on a warm crimson jumper over her auburn hair. As her head popped out from the neck hole, she was soon brought back to staring at her own negative reflection, in a dusty mirror with cold emerald-dyed eyes. What did others see when they looked at her, she wondered. There she was, Artemis Lock, a woman in her mid-twenties, barely succeeding at love, life and everything in between. She frowned at her presence in the mirror, at least the fuzzy woollen garment had concealed her extra puppy fat, making her feel a little less insecure. Artie huffed at her reflection, already sick of looking at herself, walked over to her dressing table. She picked up a black velvet scrunchie, smoothing the fabric with her pale fingers, her nails stubbed from her horrible biting habit. I really ought to stop that, she thought to herself, how nice it would be to let them grow for once. She tied her shoulder-length locks with the scrunchie, walking out of her lavender-painted bedroom. Something she had spent a weekend decorating hoping it would calm her mental health, as recommended by her support worker.
Artie quickly marched down the stairs, the carpet soft beneath her bare feet. As she got to the bottom step, she took a quick deep breath before entering the kitchen and flicked the kettle on and retrieving her favourite mint-coloured mug from the draining board. She was busy filling the cup with a good helping of sugar then threw in the teabag from the caddy. A grand grey tabby cat meowed up at her. Artie smiled, bending down to scoop up the only happiness in her life – her fur baby Pan. She cradled him like a baby, much to his disgust, but he had no choice but to accept the love. He let out a soft purr allowing his owner to scratch under his chin.
She had bought him as a kitten three years ago on a rainy autumn evening. The same day she had lost her previous job. Artie had worked in a call centre, a regular nine to five office job that was until she felt her health worsening. She had made the decision to leave the job, taking the time to focus on getting better. That day, while feeling like she had hit rock bottom, she noticed an advertisement in the local shop whilst purchasing a large bar of dairy milk. Artie visited the breeder not an hour later, and upon seeing the litter couldn't resist the little guy. After that day, she and Pan became inseparable.
Artemis had decided on the name Pan, after the Greek God, like the origin of her name. It seemed like a fitting tribute. He was her perfect companion. Whether it meant curled up on her lap, while she sipped on cheap wine and watched terrible soap operas, eating their meals together or even sleeping in the same bed. Wherever Artemis was, Pan was sure to follow.
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