Hollow

A Rekindled Fire

I wake suddenly, every thought in high definition. My eyes take in every ray of light and without a doubt I know I've been drowned too long.

Though my eyes are open I can't think of why; my heart is pounding, mind empty. It's as if a hypodermic of adrenaline has been emptied into my carotid. I strain into the utter darkness, breathing rate beginning to steady.

I looked up at him. Life. One moment you were struggling for it, desperate for it, next moment you are redeemed. I really looked up at him as if just noticing him for the first time. I noticed the way his eyebrows raised a centimetre or two, lined with something between worry and concern and his eyes, his eyes twinkled in amusement as if he knew something she didn't. They glazed like honey and turned into million shades of gold as sunlight from the open windows reflected off them. His eyes were like melted chocolate. Warm and oh so addictive.

Warmth. For the First time.

Yet it's dark now and the snow is falling, clumps of wet flakes drifting windlessly down, the air moist, the sidewalk mushy underfoot and it felt cold, snow falling over us.

Breath pale against the numbing air, I blinked thoughtfully as the frost patiently kissed my face, captivated by the soft, dusty illusions of light that sat heavy on my eyelashes. I adored the snow, more or so when it was falling.

She looks at me like the fire in her eyes has been just awaken, as if the pain as been succumbed away by the coldness around us. I haven't been used to it, it unnerves me. I want her to give freely like she always does and I know she will. It's like she just crawled out of the invisible shell and she's finally reachable. She moves her eyes more slowly, like they're light, and effortless to move. I want to crack my usual jokes but I know she won't laugh, maybe she will. I stand right next to her but she might as well be on the moon.

The happiness is infectious. It starts as a tingle in my fingers and toes, much like the feeling I have when I'm anxious, but instead of worrisome it's warm. I feel it pass through me like a warm ocean wave, washing away the stress of my day to leave me refreshed inside. As the wave fades I savour the memory of its gentle touch. She smiles at me and I hug her back.

He walked up to me slowly and pulled me closer to him wrapping his arms around me. His embrace was warm, and his big, strong arms seemed very protective when wrapped around my frail body. The world around me melted away as I squeezed him back, not wanting the moment to end. I didn't want to leave. It felt as if when I was in his arms all my pain went away - mental and physical, mostly the depressing pain. If I could only stay in his arms forever, safe from the world's harmful people. One could only hope.

In her embrace the world stopped still on its axis. There was no time, no wind, no rain. Her mind was at peace. A love like this was to be cherished for life. Finally, she was home.

The armour she had lowered from herself, it's been rebuilt. Her walls, they've come down.