A soft hand

meets gentle skin

There is a beating

a heavy pulsing

beneath

like a butterfly trying to

break free of its trap

---

Sudden lightning cracks

spreading from the core

and reaching to the outer boundaries

of its host

---

And then it is frozen

Outstretched

And determined to make its pain known

---

A debilitating ache courses

bringing the host to tears

Slowly she turns

forcing her gaze to leave the photo

of the one who froze lightning

---

‘Just a couple more days’ she tells herself

‘Just a couple more’