~ Promise ~

"Just don't let them change me." her voice was light as she spoke, under the pale sheets.

"Who?" I asked, while watching her eyes glimmer in the shaded moon light. The one shining down through the cracks of my wooden shutters.

"The people, promise me you won't let them. Promise me."

And the way her warm, though melancholy words felt across my cheek.
The way her cold legs felt tangled in mine.
The way her tears looked like sparkles as they slowly slid down the side of her face, landing onto the palm of my hand while my fingers brushed damp strands of hair..... I barely had enough breath to repeat, "promise".