When Cory was six, a realization dawned on her. It was an uncomfortable truth. Unshakeable. Laced into the valves of her heart. A constant, beating reminder of existence. Like a shot of bitter burnt coffee on an eager tongue, it was hard to swallow. It remained visibly bright in the corner of her eyes, it was there to stay, no matter how hard she wished to fight it.
To others, it remained invisible as long as it was unsaid. She did not dare to write it down on paper, too afraid that the words would be carried away by the wind, fall into someone else’s grip, and no longer remain hers to keep under control.
She treaded carefully. Her words, her clothes, her friends, her life - all choices meticulously made, wrapped in yellow tape of caution.
The truth continued to resist and rebel. As she welcomed new years and blew the candles to wish it away, it continued to grow every extinguished flame like kerosene to its uncontrollable size.