Curling up into a tight ball, holding her head in her hands, she rocks back and forth as the coldness of her room seeps into her skin. Teeth chattering and sopping wet, she collapsed to the bare wood of the floor of her room. She hugs her knees crying, trying to keep herself quiet, but her shivering, stuttering, and tears only increased.

*BOOM*

A bright flash erupted across the room, wind, and rain spluttering out of the open window which she came. A small high-pitched cry peeped out of her mouth as she bites down her lip and presses a hand to her mouth. More flashes and lighting come on and off like her shockwaves of fear. The back of her head was throbbing. She just couldn't get the sound of the thundering outside and in her mind. It hurt immensely with each pulse and all she wanted to do at that moment was to kill herself right then and there. But she was too cold and scared to move. She didn't understand. She had handled the fierce cold and icy feeling more times than many. Especially from the rain dropping in on her like a ton of bricks. And the loneliness. There was plenty experience from that.

Her ears pricked. Footsteps. Outside in the corridor. Someone was coming. She instantly froze up, her eyes wide and terrified. Praying with all her heart and soul she begged God for them not to come in here. She could not handle another attack from them. And having to escape while the rain poured on her. Her body would not take it. She already had plenty of cracks and she swears that there was a brand new one snaking up her face.

She heard the door handle turn. A soundless creak. A muted swing of the door and clacking footsteps. Then a strangled scream. But then a call out. Worry. Fear for her. Tears and a cracking voice. Warmth. Warm hands. Arms. Chest. Head. Tears. Warm tears. Leaning...

Hugs.

Words of comfort.

"...they're not here..."

"...I was so worried...you didn't tell me where you were..."

"I saw them leave. I heard them looking for you."

"They're gone, I made sure of that. I...I made sure of it."

"...you're so cold...are you awake...?"

"H-Hey...say something...are...are you okay...?"

"...I'm here for ya. I promised that."

"...What?"

"...I'm...not...going...to...throw...away...again..."

"...S-Ssh...here, let's get you to bed...ack, you're sick, aren't ya? You're paler than the Commie King..."

After setting her to bed, carefully changing her clothes, slightly cringing at a few sights, he rushed over and shut the windows and the curtains. Lighting a couple lamps around the room for some damp lighting, he carries one over to her bedside and checked her temp again.

"...You gonna get better...?"

*nods*

"...Hah, ya scared me there. Didn't think people would...react that terribly..."

"...I wish I thought this through..."

"...yeah...w-wait! No, that was my fault, I should've known what they'd do! I mean, c'mon, they're just as curious as us, they're our citizens."

"..."

"I...I guess we...are just prone to making mistakes, aren't we, you and I?"

*...small chuckles*

"Haha, you're feeling better, aren't ya?"

*nods*

Leaning down, she felt the person press their forehead to hers. From that, a soothing feeling blossomed all over her mind and body, calming her down, the voice asking for her to do so, over and over.

"Calm down for me, huh?"

Soon she started feeling sleepy, her eyelids fluttering and her breathing stabilizing. The person smiled simply, looking down sadly and painfully at the one they considered special. Someone that one could tell their fears, pains, nightmares, and problems with. The person wonders if them telling her their problems is affecting her. Then again, she's told them plenty of fears and problems and they were there to bring her up and console to her.

Humming from the person filled the room, subtle and breaking.

"Amazing grace..."

*crck*

"...How sweet..."

*crck-crick*

"...the...sound..."

*crck-CRACK*

The two didn't say anything. The two refused to say anything about it. But as visible as you and me, fine cracks were running up the souls of their bodies, showing up in their weakness. On the back of their heads, or more like back part of left side of their head.

"...that saved..."

The cracks slowly travel up toward their heads.

"...a wretch..."

The cracks jerk to the left part of their heads.

"...like...us-"

Then jacks into the section where it hurt the most. It was a slot-canyon jutting into an opening, shaking the entire area around. It made their heads pound and neither looked like anything happened. Just...singing...both singing...

"...We are..."

A new crack on the chest.

"...so lost..."

Another on the face.

"...but we're..."

Somewhere on their stomachs.

"...alive..."

The other on their arms.

"...yet blind..."

A couple on their legs.

"...our hearts..."

Plenty mapping out their backs.

"...can see..."

...and the weird gaping hole in the back of their heads...in an odd...shape...that scarily resembles...some sort of pointed star...or perhaps not a star, the bottom half of it would be missing. Hmm...there's a crack running down from the bottom center. Wouldn't you say...it would look like a...maple leaf?

~~~~~

You peeps can process this in any way ya like. I left plenty of hints to who the person and the girl was. Try to understand what they're talking about and what reference to what historical event in history this was. Also, be a tad curious why the window was open and what was up with all of their cracks and the maple leaf shaped one and what those represent.

Reminder...there are landforms...people...who have better masks than others. Specifics who have different ways to keep them on. They're also not aware of new cracks until a part of them falls out and they won't be able to find it again.

Others with masks might not even know about others that are in the same situation as them. If that's the case, the most unnoticeable are typically the more damaged. But their facade does wonders to keep their masks on.

Personally, I am impressed~

Bye-bye~