The world had always been dark, but it was darker with every step I took. There was no happiness or hope. Beauty was flat and dull if it could be found. The world was sluggish and slow. But it was all I had ever known, outside of fantasy. I dreamed of a world where there was purposeful life, a world where every breath I took was a blessing, not a curse. I heard stories of colors that where all around me, but I saw nothing. It was as if I walked in the shadow of misfortune. Like I was alone in the darkness. One day I cried out. _Is anyone there?! _I tore my clothes in agony, letting my broken heart show. And a light broke through the shadows. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. It was warm and alive, wrapping it arms around me. The light held me as I let myself shatter, and the darkness disappeared. _Thank you, _I gasped through tear stained sobs. The light lifted my head, and I saw the world with new eyes! Though darkness lingered in some places, I now saw all the beauty I had missed. Joyful tears dripped from my chin as I gazed at the light held me had saved me.