Maria

During summer so hot, in desert so dry, I entered a room with children scattered around. Some ran to greet me, with faces shining like stars. Others, the quiet ones, faded into the sea. One girl stood alone, huddled in a corner. Her face was a sad reflection of the many horrors of her past. With eyes like mirrors, revealing all veracity, Maria was like a bright light behind closed curtains. Little by little, these nightmares of old came to life. Piece by piece, horror by horror, a life emerged from the darkness. No terror trembled in her bones, this fighter dared to walk alone.