When I was little I had a visitor. She appeared to me at the edge of a little lake in my hometown. She was dawned in black including her hair and wings. Her skin was as white as snow. Her eyes black as ink. I remember trying to scream but her hand clasped over my mouth before I could let my warning cry shatter the silence of the calm summer night. Her voice was as smooth as the water, and it was strangely sweet considering her appearance. She whispered, “Listen sweetheart, I’m not here to hurt you”. She seemed hesitant when she said that for some odd reason. With her hand still clasped over my mouth she cooed, “I have a gift for you”. She reached into the folds of her oily black dress and pulled out a needle and thread. The thread was as black as her dress. She handed it to me without speaking. She slowly leaned in towards my young ears and whispered “Fix him. Fix all of them,”. As she pulled away I saw a little something flicker in her eyes. Now looking back I know it was a little bit of pity hidden in her hard eyes. Pity for the little girl and her future. Whose future is filled with using this thread and needle till it runs out right with her big heart. Right with her hope of love. I now realize why she seemed hesitant when she said she wouldn’t hurt me. She wasn’t hurting me at the moment, but she handed me a gift with a burden that will leave me empty and fill others for a lifetime.

-the beginning of it all