from within...

the corner has become a part of her. it has been her place of comfort for so long. it is all she remembers and all she has known.

she's had many dreams, some more vivid and more realistic than others, but the line between reality and fantasy has faded. all she holds onto is the refuge of the dark corner and the battered yellow blanket she clung tightly to. the blanket provided hope to her. it gave her something tangible to hold onto.

the girl hugged the blanket in between her thighs and stomach and wept bitterly. not because she was afraid, but out of frustration. frustration of not being bold enough to stand up and not being strong enough in spirit to leave this dark room.

the dim light crept into the tiny window caked with dust on her left, providing enough illumination into the room to still make everything dark. she allows herself to strain her neck enough to see a glimpse of bright blue outside the window.

she was anticipating it. burying her eyes into her knees, she waited for the faint giggling of children to ring in her ears. it's the only noise she heard that did not frighten her. in fact, she wished that she was able to produce a noise like that, but all that came from her were deep sobs of desperation.

perhaps one day, she thinks to herself, as she cries herself to sleep on the cold wood floor.