Hope has carried me this far.
I stand before the white door, hand hovering just above the old-fashioned knob. For hope, I’d braved the late afternoon sun, trusting in the heavy cloak and speed to move me from shadow to shadow without coming to harm.
Anxious anticipation fills me as I stare at it, wondering what answer lies within. I hear the rapid beat of his heart, but cannot tell what it means for me. For us.
Has he chosen to accept the gift I’ve offered, or will opening the door show the room beyond a sunlight filled trap ready to destroy me? Does he realize he’s not the only one required to trust in this situation?
The room is dim. Seated on the bed, he lifts fever bright eyes of cerulean blue to mine. A shiver wracks his frame as I walk towards him; the careless tousle of gold framing his face trembles. “You came.”
“I promised to,” I reply softly while sinking to my knees before him, trying to ease his fear. The disease hidden deep within taints his scent. How one so healthy and strong could be brought low by the mere prick of a needle is something I have trouble understanding.
The disease doesn’t matter to those of my kind, and that is why I am here.
“You’ll stay with me? You won’t leave me?” His questions fill me with pleasure.
“I will stay and never leave you,” I promise, giving my hands to him when he reaches for them. He stares at our joined hands for a long, silent moment. Peaceful acceptance lies on his face when he looks up.
Now he is ready to walk through the doorway that leads to eternal night.