The Gentle Prisoner

I don’t look forward to evenings. Everything scary in daylight is magnified immensely in the dark.

Loud, distant booms make me tremble.  I look at the few people around me, especially my guardian, and he seems oblivious.  I think he’s used to it by now and doesn’t even flinch.  How can he not fear the thundering noises, the sounds of all those explosions. Perhaps my hearing is more sensitive. I’m sure the sound is getting closer.  I take cover, low to the ground in case the windows blow in.  I wait there for what seems like an eternity.  It’s quiet again.

I fear what is outside.  I don’t dare go out. But I must, even if it’s only for a minute.  It is eerily quiet, but all my senses are on full alert, and I’m ready to dash back inside, if necessary; I’ve done that more times than I can count.  The few stray birds left have all gone silent now.  Even they seem oblivious to what awaits them. Maybe they are used to it too, like my guardian.  The large tree outside the house had been there for a century. Now only a skeleton of the once majestic tree stands there.  What does it think of this noise? It doesn’t have much to lose as its leaves have already been blown off by the blast.  It stands naked, probably trembling as I am. Weeds have spread where lush, green grass once used to grow.  I walk softly and hesitantly; I don’t want to attract the mysterious forces lurking seemingly not too far away. I can’t stand it any longer, so I dash back inside next to my guardian.

Occasionally the noise stops.  The total silence is even more frightening as I brace myself for the next round of blood curdling booms.  I want the comfort of my guardian, but I’m not sure he can provide it.  What power does he have against these senseless forces barreling towards us?  I take cover among the rubble. The place that once used to be the bathroom.

I lie on the floor, in the dark; the thundering booms are still out there. I can hear them. I can’t bring myself to leave. I’m sure my guardian will be joining me soon. I don’t know how long I’ve been lying on the floor, minutes, maybe hours.  The occasional distant boom, or maybe not so distant anymore, is still there.  I am paralyzed with fear.  My body is still one moment and then a rush of shakes travels from my toes all the way to my ears and I shake uncontrollably.  And then I hear steps.  

My guardian joins me as I had predicted.  I knew he wouldn’t be able to stand the noise much longer. He speaks softly and embraces me.  He leans over and places a heart-shaped locket around my neck.  He reassures me that inside that locket lies the power that will make me strong and invincible to the forces heading towards us.  So I look up, my eyes glazed over, trying to comprehend what he’s saying.  Will this locket keep me safe?  Does the locket create a force field of protection around me? Will we survive?  So many questions, and as I look at my guardian again, I notice he doesn’t have a locket around his neck.

What does that mean?  Are they only after me? Or does the locket provide a force field large enough to protect both of us? Is it up to me to protect my guardian? I must protect him. He senses my concern and gently reassures me that all will be well.  I trust him; what choice do I have? And he carries me to bed cradling my still trembling body.  I fall asleep, eventually. My dreams take me back to days when I could run with my bare feet through the soft grass, when birds would fill the sky with song and happiness, when the sun would warm my skin and give birth to beautiful rainbows after a cleansing rain.

I wake up, and the heart shaped locket is still around my neck.  It works!  There are no more booms, no more explosions.  It appears that the power of the locket reaches far because as hard as I try and listen, there are no booms approaching. I go outside. I hear finches, robins, and doves, and I know the world around me has returned to normal.  Or has it?  Maybe I’m still dreaming.

Only time will tell.  And the power of the locket!