The world falls dark. I plug in my headphones and hit shuffle. Close my eyes, and lose myself in the sounds of the world when it was quieter and the sun shined brighter. When the grass seemed greener and the stars seemed to grant wishes.
But then the sounds got suffocating, the grass shriveled and died, the sun got dimmer, and the wishes stopped coming true.
And even though I was still a kid, they are younger, and they need me.
So I stood taller, I took on the world like a shield, hoping one day someone else will come be my shield instead. Slowly covered in cuts and scratches, I turn around to see their little eyes, ready to give up- ‘till suddenly nothing hurts anymore. the light starts to return because they point it out. Saying “sissy, look how green it is, look how bright it is, look how quiet it is”
I don't know exactly when I lost my childhood, but letting them keep theirs is worth it all. My childhood was full of falling through the cracks so I made sure my hands were leak proof.
I turn around, ready to take it all on again, but get cast in shadow, as mom steps in, dad behind her, holding her up like a shinning silver knight— my shield. They're here and are standing taller than I did.
I get the time to sit, the little ones already hugging me with bandages ready to go. They don't understand where most of the marks came from but they want to help anyway.
It isn't over yet. Just easier to bear. I look at my parents, and their mutual nod, telling me I'm okay for a while.
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