Bright Eyes {Part II}

To read Part I, "Alone," click here.

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Her wounds are open and infected now, oozing with bitterness, resentment, envy: heartfelt pain. All who see her avoid her heap, and mock She Who Falls.

Amidst the haze of pain and betrayal comes One who stands. One who speaks to her, touching her, asking her to rise again. But she has grown wise, and refuses, rolling away from the side of the One. Still He comes, ignoring protestations. He lifts her; He stands her on a new path. He walks beside, cheering her on.

Her eyes doubt.

Armies of death charge toward them, chilling in their battle cry. A flash of hopelessness echoes from heart to eyes, and she shrinks back, conceding before the clash by slipping to the ground.

But One catches her. He stands her up. He steps before.

Death's warriors raise their swords in victory, as the One they always sought stands ~
Stands as a human shield before She Who Falls.
In a moment, it is done. Before her falls the One Who Stands, and again she stands, alone.

Her eyes weep.

Drained of strength, she sinks to her knees, sight blurred by tears she's never known, and she whispers, gaspingly --

Unseen, One stands again, ignoring the sting of blood, and bends over her.

--"Please, let me stand."

Warm arms raise her, and strength shoots through her weakness at the touch. Shaken, she grasps the hands of the One, and rises. Rises again, and for the first time.

Hope dawns.

Heart sings.

Hand clinging to His, feet moving forward, with shining eyes she strides steady and sure down the bright path. When knees fail, One upholds. When pressure comes, One supports. When wind blows, One steadies.

She Who Falls now runs, eyes bright as the Morning Stars.

Alone {Part I}

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Hands on hips, feet firmly planted, with laughing eyes she stands tall and capable in the morning sunlight. Unexpectedly, knees buckle, and she reaches for him, standing beside her.

He dodges.

She falls.

Unconquerable, she remains down for only a moment before springing up and moving, once again, to a place beside him. He welcomes the motion with a smile, and once again she stands, forgiving and tall. Her eyes smile.

Naysayers swarm toward her from afar, and her body turns rigid, while fear creeps across her face. Slowly, she faces them, backing toward him, leaning for strength, for support.

Again, he steps away.

Again, she falls.

Overpowered by the Nays, time lengthens before she can rise, but once again she stands, now with sores of resentment and sorrow forming. Again she moves beside him. Again he smiles.

Her eyes wonder.

The wind rushes toward her, shoving, pulling, flipping her feet out from under her. Wildly, she reaches toward his hand, but just as quickly he removes it, and again she falls.

Rise. Move beside him. Ignore the hurt. See the smile.

Her eyes mourn.

She begins to walk away, but he stays beside her, and unbid hope returns. Around the bend, she trips headlong into the ditch. Hopefully, desperately, she reaches toward him one final time, but he watches with indifference as she falls.

Crumpled, dejected, she lies in a heap for ages, refusing to rise. Eventually, he shrugs and moves on, leaving her as she always was.

Alone.

To Be Continued...