A candle sits on the windowsill. A burning flame wavers, flickers. It's almost mesmerizing, the dance of the flames. Ethereal shadows are cast into the corners of the cabin and I am mesmerized by the fire.

(now orange now yellow now smoke. those little wisps of smoke...that's all you are.

all you'll ever be.)

The smoke twirls in an almost-dance across the room and I watch it— you, really— dissolve. You dissolve into darkness. These burning candles...these are us. We are burning. The us that used to be is gone and in its place is only charcoaled blackness and a drooping wick. Wax is dripping like blood, scarlet against snow-white skin.

(but darling, you're a raven, not a princess. there are no happy endings for us. that blood is beautiful and captivating but be careful— fire burns.)

You are a candle and you are the smoke. You are beauty in my burning eyes. You are beauty in the eyes of your destroyer.

And guess what?

I destroyed you. Enjoy it.