I followed her in. It's not so much that I wanted to protect her, it's just that I wanted to "make sure." I don't know of what I was "making sure,: but whatever intangible element of entwinement held us was a powerful one. And there she was: guns blazing, her decorated uniform glistening TRIUMPH. VICTORY. ACHIEVEMENT. everything I didn't have. I envied her then.

       Most bravadous displays are eventually proven to be contrived and shallow, but hers... Never. She attained something pure and primal. Something maskless and naked. Something powerful. And I, like my own private eye, follwed and watched from dark corners and closed shutters, peeking out and taking notes.

       Whatever she had, it was shocking. Aweful. Mean and beautiful. A vengeless god, a ruthless deity of splendour and power. I was dwarfed and humbled. I never saw her cry.

        I love her, really. I truly love her.


      -O. I.