parting

The nightmare was bad. My hands and feet hurt, i was bleeding, i couldn't move and the dark night seemed solid, heavy on my chest, robbing me of whatever breath i could drag into my unwilling lungs. I felt eyes glowing in the bushes around me, and i felt them closing in, shadows in the darkness, but i couldn't move. Surrendering seemed to be the only option. It would be over in a few minutes, I thought.
Then suddenly, the bushes rustled. Past fear, i listened to footsteps advancing towards me. So it will be over, I thought, with relief. I was tired and death was release. But the footsteps did not have the timbre of a predator. They were not calculated. Surprisingly, the eyes that searched my face were warm, drooping at the outer edges and even naughty. The ivory tone hand that rested on my cheek was tender and his smile warmed my soul. I felt the blood coursing through my veins---again, bringing life into my dead limbs. Who is this man? I thought, but i did not care…all i cared about was the fact that he would not hurt me. That i could rest in his arms. You want to get up? He said, that warm smile crinkling his almond eyes. One hand slid under my shoulder and he lifted me effortlessly. As if the years of grief which weighed me down counted for nothing. He put me on my feet, never letting go of my hand---calloused now, i noticed. My life was spent on a battleground for the most part and that had taken a toll on my body. My hand, i noticed now, was rough against his angelic fingers. Suddenly self conscious, i tried to extricate my hand, only to have him hold tighter, look deep into my face and smile again. Which simultaneously gave me strength and made my knees go weak.
I did not know who he was----but i gave him myself, in the conviction that he would never harm me….The first light of dawn slowly pierced the black curtain of the night. The pitch black brightened into a soothing blue. He walked with me, leading me on and a splash of orange washed the sky in gold. After an eternity spent in the frightening darkness, i saw the flowers, lush greenery, butterflies, i closed my eyes and basked in the sun. With him around closing my eyes was not fraught with danger.
I did not know who he was, but i knew i could rest my head against his chest….
The daylight was refreshing, but i had forgotten it fades into the night. As the darkness crept back, i ran to him, or where i thought he would be…
To find the place empty...
I looked around. By then the darkness was complete, i could not see…but i called out….silence….deafening, maddening silence…
It took me awhile to realize he was gone. But he left me strong enough to walk, to face the night…
I don't know who he is, all i care about is the fact that he is no more….
I can move on, i can face the night..but his touch is everything, still…
I don't know who he is but i love him…if he hurt me, i prefer this predator to the others...
I can walk, but i am waiting, still...