Solace

She has been wandering for a long time now. The darkness is never inviting. Yet, she cannot seem to keep from returning to it. It was as certain as the sunrise. She never stayed away from the dark for long. Daytime doesn't appeal to her. The sun is always too bright and the seas always glisten too beautifully to be real. Darkness is better. Darkness is accepting, understanding and safe. It houses and stays by many others like her. Creatures of the night are familiar with the dark. The owl for instance. The owl has always loved the night. The dark makes him feel powerful, less defenseless. He lets himself believe that it's okay to be thought of as scary or strange. The cricket loves the night as well. He is always terrified of audiences, visible audiences. The night promises blackness and therefore, a silent, hidden audience. He is free to sing his song without constantly fearing critical eyes and stomping feet. This is when he sings his best. He sings children to sleep. He is the sound of a peaceful night. The stars love the night too. In the hours of the sun's constant luminosity, their lights are never perceived. The sun dominates the sky of the planet they adore so much. So, they await the night.

She knows all this. The heartbroken slight figure in the lazuline dress is aware of all of it. She carefully paces along the path. She has left the confining house and now ventures deeper into the dark. The moon fails to shine through the branches of the trees. She makes her way under and around the lurking trees. There is a boy there. He sits on the trunk of a recently fallen tree, caressing the bark and humming a quiet lullaby. She doesn't even hesitate. She ambles toward him.

He looks up and smiles.

"Where have you been?" She asks him not knowing why such words left her chapped lips.

"Waiting." He lifts his head to reveal his hypnotic eyes.

"For?" She inquired.

"You." He says in a velvet voice. He gestures to the space beside him.

She does not ponder the wisdom of this. She merely goes to sit by him.

"Are you alright?" He asks her.

"No." She replies leaning into him. Her head is cautiously resting on his shoulder now.

He nods and she feels him heave a sigh. "I know. Well, I'm here at least."

She instantly feels a million times better. "Why are you always here when I am?"

"I'm always here, love."

"Promise?" She is terrified he will disappear or be carried off by the wind. She feels her eyes close. The slumber she evaded earlier finally finds her.

"Promise." He says. His voice is lulling. It sounded faraway, nothing but a whisper of the wind. "I promise."