Work Text:
Please.
I see you, trembling afore the long road ahead. You carry nothing, for the sinless only needs their shell and the cloak on their back, so it has been sung. I see it already, you will fall, your fellows will take from your corpse, your barren shell will harden the road, so that the ones after you make it deeper into the maws of this holy place. I see you at your humblest, weakest, noblest, stupidest.
I hear you. I hear the clacks of rosaries, dearly clutched close to your shell. I hear the mumbles of your prayers sung, only you and I its audience. Prayers for health. For safety. For passage. For absolution. I hear your screams as you are torn to shreds by beasts. I hear your sigh as you rest your weary body.
And you see me, the light. My illumination, small, but it lights the path regardless. Barely a glance, yet I am never an unwelcome sight. I mark the way, the long path, you know you have not strayed at the sight of me. You see me.
But you do not hear me.
Please.
Please.
Please.
Hear me. Hear me. Hear me.
Listen to my voice.
Let me out.
It is so bright in here.
It is so small in here.
They took everything.
I cannot walk.
I cannot sleep.
I cannot scratch.
I cannot scream.
They took everything.
Please. I need you.
Only you can free me.
You see me. You see me.
Reach out to me.
A claw on my glass prison.
Grip so tight, shatter me free.
Let me out. Let me fade.
Please.
Please.
Please.
Please.
Please.
Please.
Please.
Please.
Don’t walk away.
