-Time Renewed

[Words to Image. A randomly chosen image that prompts a unique thought inside my mind. I write what I feel it says to me]

Every evening, Pantilily would submerse herself in the waters of Eastern Gorge. Its healing powers brought about comfort and escape for her damaged body. She would wade in, sit, and allow the warmth of the setting sun to whisk her away until she fell asleep. By morning she would hopefully be healed.

Troggery's task was specific, but to this day, he hasn't completed it. Her card had been pulled, and the afterlife was prepared to lay claim to her soul. He must devour her and carry it to the Elders in Darkness, yet he never has. Once he laid eyes on this sleeping beauty, he was mesmerized. Very long nights of stares haunted him. He knew what he was supposed to do but her delicate image always overpowered the fire in the beast that he was. It squelched the evil and traded it for a heart that felt a longing compassion. He loved her and spent countless weeks giving her a pass.

Until his card was about to be forfeited. The elders had decided that if he persisted in neglecting his responsibilities, then he must be replaced, after severe repercussions. He was given an ultimatum, devour her or be himself. Troggery crept up to the water's edge, as he had done many times before, and leaned into her as she slept. He could smell her fragrance and feel her sleeping breath as she exhaled. This time was important. This time he needed to make a decision. But how could he? He now loved more than he was evil. And she was so close to healing. He procrastinated his task. He held back, not willing to devour his own heart, until the time ticked away.

Tick Tock, Tick Tock.

And then the moment of truth came. He had mere seconds to finish her or reap the consequences. He closed his cold lifeless eyes and released a heavy sigh.

Troggery gave the elders what they lusted for, a soul ... but it wasn't hers. He allowed himself to be eternally extinguished so she could live. Because in these weeks, he realized what it was to feel life. In her beauty, he felt alive.

Pantilily awoke to a body fully restored, feeling completely healed. She crawled from the water but paused to look back. Something was wrong. Despite her newfound pleasure, she felt a crippling pain.

Something was missing. His allowance of time gave her the necessary means to become new again. And somehow, she felt it but never fully understand.

Somewhere in the afterlife, a faint glow to a heart newly born gently beats. It still feels. It still loves. And Pantilily can still sense it.