The darkness surrounds me, and my heart clenches tightly as I make my way through the house, leaning against the wall, searching for a light switch. I halt as I hear the rustling of sheets coming from my left, the sound calming me. I reach in front of me, feeling a warm face in my hand.
"There you are. I was worried you had left me."
The small face shifts out of my hand, the rustling continuing as I feel the child wrap her arms around my waist, hugging me close to her.
"I thought the same thing."
I can feel the tears coming from her eyes seeping through my jeans.
"I can't leave, you know that. I could never leave you. I'm your guardian angel, remember?"
The child moves from my jeans, fumbling in the darkness to hold my hand. I hold her hand, hot against my cold skin, and walk her down the hallway, her leading me to her bedroom. I focus my energy on keeping my form intact as I tuck her into her bed and wait till she's asleep, as a mother should.
For not all mothers don't show up in the light.
