The night has met us again. The moon cowardly peaked through the scudding clouds, partially illuminating the midnight air. The trees dangled and danced in the cold, springy wind, nestling in its melody. Everything was fine. Everything was perfect. 

The campfire illuminated the surroundings with its marigold and canary hot flames. It stood in its glory, guarded by six strong and bold rocks of steel. It’s light shone so brightly that I swear my eyes saw white for a split second. And its piney aroma of wood and ash bombarded my nose like the crashing waves of the sea. Everything was fine. Everything was perfect. 

The people were jovial; they were dancing and singing and yelling all kinds of chaos to awaken the sleeping night. But one was missing.

9:35pm.

I sat idly on a log, next to a humongous tree, waiting for her. This was my first time laying eyes on her. I clinged to my knees. Praying that everything will be fine. But it was not.

9:50pm.

 She was twenty minutes late. I started to think maybe she had been involved in a horrible accident. I began to imagine a huge truck rushing into her soul, tearing her from limb to limb. The glass penetrating her delicate and soft skin, tearing into her flesh. I shot back into reality, trying my hardest to keep my hopes alive.

10:20pm.

The flames of fiery of the campfire began to slowly lose its lids. People started to evacuate one by one. Like ants marching out their nest to seek food. I began to lose hope. What should I do? What should I do? I bought to myself. Just cling on a little longer. I tried to reassure my flowing tears that raced down my dark face.

10:50pm.

The fire truck completely shut down, leaving me in the abysmal blackness. I sighed; out of my last hope; I stood up, trying to gain my balance. 

All of a sudden, a dazzling spot of light glowed softly, rising out of this gloomy darkness. The fiery flames began to glow and crackle, breaking the deafening silence. 

Everything was fine. Everything was perfect. 

A veil of darkness had indeed fallen, wrapping around my true love and dimming her light. I didn't like this. Not one bit. It didn't feel right.

 However, it was still beautiful.

The birds still sung their luscious hymns on the branches of oak and elm. Their soothing melodies were perfect. Almost too perfect. They moved softly, temptingly, the way she once did. The scent of rain curled around those notes, blending with them so naturally that it felt like a memory I had lived before. A memory that brushed against my heart and left me quietly afraid.

She had been here. 

Her light used to shine through the leaves, reflecting in puddles along the path. It made everything feel so very calm. Safe. Like a mother’s embrace. Nothing could ever have gone wrong under her golden protection, but now the shadows stretched further. 

Unnatural. 

Yet I still advanced. 

The birds kept singing. Louder now. Pulling me forward. 

She wouldn’t just disappear on me? 

A flicker of light caught my eye. It was faint at first. Yet as I drew nearer it grew stronger. 

All these thoughts - were they a jumble of desperation? Lies to cope?

 This light shone in a familiar rhythm. 

It was hers. I just knew it. 

So I ran into an open field, where the trees encircled me with their leaves whispering in the wind, like the entire universe had stopped in time for me to get to her. 

This wasn’t her.

Just a cheap imitation of her. A pale yellow sphere floating in the sky, thinking it could shine the way she once did.

The veil was dispersing. Pale gold streaks of rose had bled into the sky, breaking through the grey.

Yet I was in suspense, breath held just like a spoiled kid throwing a tantrum.

Because for just a brief moment.

It felt like her light again.