A single flower, alone in the middle of a vast meadow surrounded by a tightly knit meshwork of trees. The dark forest protected this serene place from the horrors of the outside world, sealing it from change for what must have been centuries.

Except for the flower, that is.

The flower was the only thing out of place, bobbing just inches above the horizon of the soft grass. It came hundreds of miles; traveled across the land to end up planted here, in this place. This was its final resting stop.

All the pleasant sounds of the forest died off as an intruder penetrated its sanctuary. Long purple hair trailed behind the invader, who was clothed in black finery. His slacks bunched as he crouched in front of the flower.

The man didn't make a noise; to do so would be sacrilege in a place like this. He simply closed his eyes and spoke a silent prayer. With his hand, he pierced the ground next to the flower, made a small hole in the earth, and in it planted a second flower, different in color and shape from the first.

He did one last thing before leaving… he parted the grass to reveal a small stone plaque. He moved his fingers over the words one time and then rose to his feet.

The man left the sanctuary, the meadow that was now populated by two flowers. He left the forest behind and returned the few hundred miles to where he came from.

Wind blew, shifting the grass over the plaque and making the flowers dance in the breeze.

A beautiful girl…

Killed before she had a chance to shine her brightest…

No one could be as innocent as her…

And no one could ever replace her…

She is with God in his heaven, now truly a Cherub.

Elle "Cherub" Apath 1992 - 2021