Cold hands trace my body,
Places I never want to see.
Locks break, defence falls.
No one saw me,
The way I kicked, grabbed, cried.

My only witnesses were the shadows.
From my nightmares to my protectors,
They were behind me,
A distraction, a comfort.
I named my shadow,
A kind boy, a big brother,
One who could protect me.
A brother like I should have been.
He held my hand,
Helped me redress and collect my thoughts,
Scared the memories away.

I want to thank him.
But my shadow has long gone.
He is a part of me now.
I thought I lost, but I gained.
I learned my own comfort,
My own love, my own hero.
No one can hurt us,
My brother won’t allow it.