The Shining Light

What he saw shone and glowed brighter than the others, but she didn't know. He had to capture it, he had to make that light shine only for him. She vibrated with bursts of joy. A word for all, a glance that invited you in, a laugh that made you feel alive. She shone so hard that he had to have her. He approached her with a shy and humble demeanour. He was so unassuming and she was weakening. Then he saw it, for a fleeting second, a hole so big inside her. He was ready to strike. He used a weapon that she had long forgotten existed Kindness, it filled her. She didn't even realise she'd been hit. She let it wash over her, filling the hole with what she thought was love. He adored her, 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 is what she said. He is kind, it must be me she says, I must be better. Unkind words become cruel and still she tries to remember. Her light burns a little less bright. Those who surrounded her, feeding her flame with love are soon gone. They were just takers, he says. Soon the quiver of happiness turn to a tremor of anxiety. She doesn't understand. She knows that once she knew, but now with him she can't remember anymore. It is now, and she is long forgotten. She awkward, she is uncomfortable, she has no light He captured her. He isolated her. He destroyed her. She no longer shines She is gone.