The Unknown

The Unknown

Trapped inside a secret, there’s no way out.

No light at the end of the tunnel.

No hero’s presence to drive evil away.

Each night a mystery, no foretelling of what’s to come. 

That alone, is what scares her the most: the unknown.

Footsteps slowly sneaking up the stairs,

as goosebumps travel up her pale skin,

rendering the fear she’s had for months,

the same fear that nearly knocks her senseless every time.

Footsteps growing, growing, growing,

until they stop at her bedroom door.

He calls out, “let me in my angel,”

but really she’s nothing more than his toy doll. 

Motionless, as if petrified, she remains.

Lips stuttering, yearning to speak,

one deep breath and then another,

she replies “I’m not your angel, and I never will be.”

Footsteps now softening, softening, softening,

until they are heard no more.

She is spared the pain at least for tonight,

but now she knows for certain that she can save herself,

being nothing more than her own hero.