Distinct Affection

The soil between her toes chilled her to the bone and the moss she lies on soaks in the sunshine from her beaming pale skin.

She listens to the river run as she twirls the flower she picked earlier.

The purple petals spin quickly and create a surreal picturesque scene of wonder and love.

She stands up and runs quickly through the trees.

The wind blows through her hair so softly that it blocks out the sounds of the blue jays singing.

She jumps over the roots that protrudes from the path way she runs down every day and then slows her pace to a steady walk.

She picks the red flowers along the way and creates a head wreath that emphasizes her rosy cheeks and her dark brown hair.

She looks so innocent with her feet dangling from the tops of the trees.

She knows no other world of terror or pain.

Besides the occasional raccoon that comes and steals the apples she picks she knows of no hurtful words or actions.

She is happy.

Until the day that he showed up she didn't know what true happiness was.

She blinks quickly as a shadow blankets her eyes, blocking out the sunshine.

All she can see is his wide eyes and bright smile looking down upon her.

She grasps the outstretched hand and is carried away to a place where the walls were made of planks and souls and the floor is tile that is cold under her hurting heart.

He sets her down on a large bed and tucks her in. Kisses her forehead then leaves her to sleep.

But she can't, because now finally her reality is much better than any dream she could ever have.

She begs him to come back and they sit and talk about each other and how different they truly are until the sun comes up and interrupts the stars.