The Shining Light

What he saw, shone and glowed brighter than the others.

She didn't know it.

He had to capture her, he had to make light shine only for him.

She had a way with people.

They shared in her explosive bursts of joy.

She had word for all, a glance that invited you closer.

An infectious laugh that made you feel alive.

She shone so hard that he had to have her.

He approached her.

His ploy was a polite, shy and humble demeanour.

He seemed so nassuming, so different from the rest.

She was intrigued.

Her carefully built fortress of protection as weakening.

Then he saw it.

For a fleeting second, an emptiness so big inside her.

Confident, e was ready to strike.

He used a simple weapon.

Something that she had long ago forgotten existed.

Kindness.

It filled her.

She barely knew she'd been hit.

She let his kindness wash over her, filling her with what she thought was love.

He declared that he adored her, and worshipped her.

She was so sharp, so funny, so everything he had always wanted to be.

Now she belonged to him.

It started slowly, the cracks she felt.

Excuses made for his unkind words.

He was kind. Remember? That's what she said.

He is kind.

It must be me, I must be better.

Unkind words become cruel, and still she tries to remember.

Her flame burns a little less bright.

Those who once surrounded her, feeding her with love, are soon gone.

Forget them, he says.

They don't love you like I .

They use you, there were just takers, he says.

Soon her quiver of joy turns to a tremor of anxiety.

She doesn't understand.

She knows that once she knew, but now with him, she can't remember anymore.

She bows her head.

t is best to wait for the shouting to stop.

She is long forgotten.

The last spark of light crushed beneath a heavy sole.

She is silent, she is awkward, she is afraid.

She has no light.

He captured her.

He isolated her.

He destroyed her.

She no longer shines.

She is gone.