“The night protects.” Vix said quietly, the pond just a few yards away.
It was nearly midnight, Vix thought she was alone when Emily spoke.
“Excuse me?” Emily said. “Are you ok?”
“I told you to leave me alone.” Vix said coldly, unflinching.
“I know, and I’m sorry” Emily replied. “It’s just every time I see you, you look so sad, so angry. I thought you could use a friend.”
“I have no friends.” Vix said, barely contained anger rising in her voice. “I don’t need friends.”
“We all need friends.” Emily replied softly.
“Go away.” Vix said, taking a half step closer to the pond.
“Are you going to…” Emily started to ask.
“Yes.” Vix replied without hesitation. “I don’t want you to watch.”
“Why?”
“Who wants to see a wretched creature drown?” Vix asked, hate growing in her voice. “Who wants to watch someone die? Do you?”
“No.” Emily replied. “But no one should die alone.”
Vix said nothing, standing perfectly still.
“I won’t stop you.” Emily said, sorrow in her voice. “But you shouldn’t die alone.”
Vix said something Emily couldn’t understand.
“I’m sorry, what?” She asked.
“I hate you.” Vix repeated. “I hate you so much it hurts.”
“I’m sorry…” Emily apologized, slowly stepping away. “If you really want me gone, I’ll go.”
“Stay.” Vix said.
“Okay.” Emily replied.
“The night protects.” Vix said again. “It hides all, the hurt, the pain, the threats. It protects all. And none.”
“That’s deep.” Emily said meaningfully.
Without warning, Vix turned and darted at Emily, running into her at full speed, almost sending them both to the ground.
“Why?” Vix asked, her face pressed into the chest of Emily’s jacket. “Why did you keep coming?”
“You looked like you needed a friend.” Emily said, gently wrapping Vix in a hug. “I wanted to be your friend.”
“Thank you.” Vix whispered so quietly Emily could barely hear it.
“Anytime, friend.” Emily said sweetly.

Can anything be done with love? Yes. It can be nurtured, allowed to grow. It can be freely given, spread across the world, or held close tightly. Love can save us or it can doom us. Civilizations can both rise and fall with love. It is the most precious resource on earth. To love is to have hope, feel promise, experience joy in its purest form. Without love, there is nothing worth living for.

“I have many regrets,” Emily whispered, holding Adi’s hand as he lay, unconscious, in the hospital bed. “But none as bad as the regret I have for what I did to you.”
Just days before she had broken off her relationship with him, for his sake. She thought she was doing the right thing, freeing him from the burden that she felt she was. He had been hit by a car as he drunkenly tried crossing a street. She was drowning her own misery when she received a text from his mother, who was asleep in a chair in Adi’s hospital room.
“I regret what I said, Adi.” She choked as tears rolled down her face. “I’m sorry I left you. Please, don’t leave me.”

There is no making up for lost time. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. Enjoy the time you have no, show your loved ones you care now. Because once time is lost, it can never be found again.

Innocence. Something all children have, empathy as well. I have gained more insight and wisdom from a young child, shown more compassion than I have from dozens of adults combined. Adults forget all about it, children are born with empathy, love, and innocence. This cold, dark, cruel world strips them of their humanity, leaving hate filled husks of what once was.