Escape From the Darkness

She came from a place unknown to most.....a place where most folks wouldn't want to go, even in their worst nightmares. And to be honest, venturing out of her home was scary.  For when you live in a scary place, you tend to get used to it.  Your eyes adjust to the darkness.  You forget that light exists.

But on this particular day, in the midst of her darkness, a ray of light somehow found its way into her place of abode.  She looked at it, puzzled as to its source.  It was pretty to look at, and even though it was a small ray, it seemed to illuminate her darkness.

She wanted to explore and find out from where it came.  But she knew there was danger in doing that.  The darkness would not want to let her go.  Fear came over her.  She had no idea what she would find if she went exploring.  It could be worse than the darkness.  She could find herself wishing she was back here...in this very place. 

Just as she decided to stay where she was, she heard a bird singing.  It had been so long since she had heard a songbird!  Her mouth turned up in a curious way into something the darkness had always forbidden....a smile.  She hung her head, hoping the darkness would not see. But her eyes continued to gaze upward.  The bird was perched at the place where the light was shining through.  It must be a sign!

She slowly looked around, gathering her courage.  She knew she must go to the light.  It called to her being.  And in knowing that, she did not feel quite so afraid.  She followed the ray of light to its entrypoint and she found a door.  It was nailed shut.  To escape would mean making lots of noise.  She would not be able to leave in silence and safety after all.

She paused, deep in thought, wondering what to do.  She found something that could pry the nails loose lying in the corner.  She reached for it, and began to work on the nails, trying not to make a lot of noise.  To her amazement, they came out much easier than expected.  Her heart was racing, and her fear was now more excitement.  She was so close to the light!

She slowly began to pull on the door, and it creaked so loud, having not been opened in years and years.  Fear gripped her and she could hear the darkness calling her back.  But she was so close!  She refused to give up now.

She opened the door with all of her might, and ran out...straight into the light.  She ran and ran, letting the brightness wash over her.  It was taking her eyes awhile to adjust to the light.  When she was able to open them fully, she gasped in wonder at the beauty around her.  Everything was so beautiful.  Everything was so clear.  Joy filled her soul, and her mouth turned up again in a smile that would stay on her face for a very long time.

She gazed at the lush green grass, the flowers, the sunshine.  She looked at her reflection in the lake and saw what she looked like with her mouth turned up in the smile that had always been forbidden to her.  She liked the way she looked with a smile on her face.

And for the first time, she realized that the power to escape the darkness had always been with her...deep inside.  She had just needed a bit of light to show her the way.