• I readied myself as he advanced on me, blue eyes blazing brown hair knotted and scruffy, eyebrows narrowed in rage. His fists clenched and unclenched, preparing to close around my scrawny neck. His clothes hung loosely, torn and ragged. He wore no shoes and his feet were raw and bloody. His lips were pulled back into a snarl and his nostrils flared. And I knew him.

    He had been my childhood friend, laughing along side of me. He had comforted my and helped me through my sorrow during tough times. He was there for me. We had been close, almost brother and sister. I loved him.

    But he showed none of this kindness now. It pained me to know that I had to fight him. I also knew that because of this bond, this stupid stupid bond, and this close love, this stupid stupid love, that I could not.

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    I heard them wailing, with cries piercing the silence of the night. I could hear the fear in their voices, their tiny fists beating the ground. I could imagine their small round eyes glazed over with terror, their lips trembling with anticipation, bodies shaking for lost knowledge on the future and how their fates would be sealed. I knew they did not understand thir predicament, and a deep sense of despair pierced my heart, for I knew I could not help them. I knew they were on there own. And I knew they were too young to help themselves. A wave of hopelessness seemed to crash down upon me.

    I tried to put them out of my head. The there was a false peace. I realized with a start that it was not I who had succeeded. I sank into the depths of despair , shaking in rage, while salty tears raced over my twitching cheeks.

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    She called out to me, but I could not go. She wanted comfort, but I could not give it. She wanted to be held, but I could not touch her. She yearned for love, but it was too far away. Her eyes were pleading, her hands were shaking. What she wanted she could not have, and what she had she did not want. I stayed away, and a feeling if guilt settled over my heart.

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    I never really thought about what would happen if I tried it. I should have. They told me not to, but that was all. It was just a feeling, they said, deep inside, they didn't know why. Now that I looked back, I felt it too. Why didn't I listen? of course I did it anyway. I was young, stupid, near-sighted. And now that one choice would haunt me forever.

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    Waves crashed against the shore. The rocks below were sharp and rugged. The water's surface was white. The beach stopped a mile back. It was a long fall. The cliff side was steep. It was a big decision. Once it had been made, there would be no going back. I walked to the edge, my toes hanging over the side. I took a deep breathe, spread my arms and leaned forwards. I squeezed my eyes shut as I fell, down, down, down, into the angry ocean.