Love

Each time he spoke with a lash in his growl, a door slammed. She found herself inside of a small, dark room, door closed, settling for less and less. She survived the journey, not noticing at some point the extent of seclusion. Searching for windows, vents, anything to get out, she found nothing but a closed door. She began to crouch, secured by the comfort of her internal self folding into her heart. She remained in this state for years, looking for a way before giving up completely. Pushed further still inward, until one day, she saw a crack of light at the door. Scooting along the low ceiling, she tried the knob. It turned and the door opened, breaking the seal. Unsure of how to treat this new found freedom, she hesitated. She knew what it was like inside the tiny room. She had forgotten what the other rooms felt like and grew scared. Contemplating her insecurities, she saw a light in the next room. No longer frightened, she allowed the distraction to carry her into the next room. This one was a little bigger than the last, a little taller, and easier to maneuver. The momentum kept her going. She would remain in a room for a little while, content with her new surroundings and would grow pleased. After a time, another door would appear unlocked and waiting for her to notice. Windows began to reveal the next room, a sneak peak of what her life would become once she was ready. Eventually, she found the exit. The outside world was large and intimidating. Unsure of herself, sometimes she would go back into one of the rooms until she could handle the pressure of her new life. Her heart was unfolding one layer at a time, allowing other people inside her comfort zone. She began showing people her rooms, not many seeing all the way in, they were too tall in spirit and body. She found she had forgotten some of the rooms existed, careful to keep the doors open anyway. People found their way into her rooms and would get locked inside without her knowing. She would return to the rooms and find that there was someone lingering in her private areas, unable to leave without her coaching. In time, she hoped to allow space for this phenomenon. She cleaned out her rooms, fixed them up, painted them and prepared them for herself and others. Someday she would grow to love the deeper rooms as she loved the outer.