A willow tree claws at the sky overhead Its gnarled golden branches shedding delicate, black leaves like the tears I have not, cannot cry
I watch a leaf spiral down in front of me a mix of dread and euphoria climbing through my toes to the top of my head the leaf dive bombs toward me landing programmed-perfect on my wrist
A boy's voice comes from right behind my shoulder Keep it I startle, but he is holding onto me
He holds the leaf to my wrist it is like Needles, they draw the leaf's veins over top my own Until all that is left is his brand on my raw skin
All yours now, sweetheart His laugh a puncture wound to my heart
Something about the air between us changes though He wraps his arms around me, and I didn't realize how empty I'd been before he had You could stay he offers Now in earnest, not messing with my head any longer
I taste your pain. It's only getting stronger he says Let me help. I would make it easy for you. My world is beautiful, nothing like the way your mortal eyes see it. he explains It is music you can't describe, it is warmth, it is light. You will never need, never hurt for anything again here. I will pull you out of the darkness. I will heal your soul one final time. Just let me help you.
Death cups my chin and draws my eyes to his And for once, there is no terror in falling to his abyss
bliss
I pull myself away I can't I remind him gently There is beauty in mortality too that I must see before I see your world. I know that I have love, a future to follow. Life comes at the cost of pain, but I have to accept that for all else it has to offer. I'm sorry I cry for Death only, that I must turn him down
I close my eyes to shut out the pain And suddenly he is gone I am back in my bedroom I realize then my escape How lucky I am, that I must run faster...
But some part of me still begs to go back to him
I take my own needle Trace the outline of his brand on my wrist and for a moment, I feel his arms around me again