A child. Untouched by the cruel world, by the harsh reality that we've all somehow become accustomed to. We hear screams, we see sorrow. But the children, they're different. They see laughter, they see joy.

There once was a child, an innocent, sweet child. She saw the positive in everything, the light in the dark. She was a whole. Not a shard lay at her feet, not a frown upon her face. But perhaps the best thing was, was that she still had light behind her eyes. You could see it. There was life. She was that light in the darkness.

Her mother was a beautiful woman. She was dimmer than her daughter, true, but she still had more light behind her eyes than the most of us. She was able to escape the cruel world before it shattered her, before it could hurt her more than it already had.

She had only one rule for her daughter, and that rule was to always stay in the yard as she played, for that was where she was safe.

Their yard was wonderful. It was full of vibrant flowers that bloomed and sparkled in the sunshine, red birds and blue birds chirping as they flew from tree to tree, and so many things that the little girl could entertain herself with.

But one day, as the little girl skipped around the garden, she noticed a hole in the fence. The fence that separated her from the world we know, the fence that kept her from seeing such a horrid place.

She pondered whether she should tell her mother, or whether she should go and see what her mother so desperately didn't want her to see.

She was only human, and as we all know, humans can be very curious. Especially when they are only children. Finally, she decided to go and venture past her restrictions. She didn't see the harm in doing so, for she would return before the moon rose.

Without a second thought, she crawled through the hole and stood up on the other side. Instantly, the vibe changed. Her stomach dropped, her heart sped up, and she could feel these negative emotions gripping her soul like a baby with their teddy bear.

But over all of the emotions, one seemed to overpower them. Curiosity. She continued to walk deeper into the forest, where the shadows loomed overhead and where darkness lurked. But she only saw the good. The happiness. She saw the suns beams slicing through the treetops, the squirrels fluffy tails, and the few flowers that peeked through the lush undergrowth.

After awhile of walking and observing, she stumbled upon a crack that ran jaggedly through the Earth. She tilted her head and crouched beside it, reaching her hand inside. Her hand burned from the freezing cold feeling she received, and she quickly pulled her arm out.

The sun was beginning to set, and she knew very well her mother wouldn't be happy if she couldn't find her among the flowers of the garden.

So the young girl got to her feet once more, glancing one last time at the crack before turning away. But right as she turned, she felt a hand clamp onto her shoulder. She jumped, slightly alarmed as she whirled around the face whomever touched her.

A man stood in front of her, his eyes a bright emerald green and his hair a chocolate brown. He grinned widely, his presence enticing. She found herself wanting to hug him, and envelop herself in his soothing scent.

"Who are you?" she asked nicely, smiling at him brightly.

"Why, I'm the guardian of The Other Side." he responded sweetly, "I noticed you were leaving so early. Why not stay and have some fun?"

"I must be on my way. My mother will be terribly worried if I don't return soon." she replied politely, her eyes sparkling with innocence.

"Your mother wouldn't mind if you stayed for a little while longer! I could show you around, I could give you endless fun and entertainment! It would only take a little while." he pressed. Although the offer was quite appealing, the girl declined once more.

"I'm sorry sir, but I am not allowed to be here." she sighed apologetically.

"This could be your last chance to ever experience The Other Side. Your mother probably won't ever let you return, why not make the most of it? I'll bring you right back here." he stepped closer, offering a hand.

Her eyebrows furrowed together as the tried to make a decision, "Well.. okay. I guess I could spare a little while longer. But you must bring me right back here."

"Wonderful!" he smiled. She placed her palm in his and he lead her back to the cracked ground, where she stood and overlooked the inky black darkness.

Right as she turned her head to ask him what they were doing, his smile twisted into one of cruelty. She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion and worry, but she didn't have time to question it for at that very moment, he shoved her into the darkness.

She screamed and lashed out as she spiraled downward. She watched as the man's crooked smile faded away, until she saw nothing but darkness. Her lungs constricted, her throat tight. It was like she was desperately trying to swim through a river of despair.

She sputtered and coughed as the light behind her eyes faded out, the once blazing fire now a quenched, black area of soot and ash. Her innocence was slipping from her fingers like water and spiraling down the drain. She pushed herself to the surface to take a breath, only for the darkness to drag her straight back down.

She twisted in its grasp, pulling at the streaks of darkness as her strength ebbed. She tried to scream, but the water poured down her throat and she choked. She could feel her soul breaking into pieces, into tiny shards that laid at her feet. She was no longer a whole. For the promises of endless happiness was a lie, betrayal feeling like a dagger being thrusted through her chest.

You want to know what true horror is? It's when you can't control the freezing, cold water that's constantly rushing into your lungs. It's when life looks at you and gives you some sun, then turns away and flicks you into the darkness. It's when you can't see light anymore, when you need to borrow someone else's happiness.

That young girl will never see the light of day again, and she will never, ever see anything but the darkness that constantly hovers over her and tortures her with promises of a better future.

She's broken, and the light behind her eyes is gone.

***

I am aware that this was very dramatic lmao.

Thorn, Out