I blink at the brilliant light emanating from the doorway. The brightness and hope from beyond.

But I’m trapped in the dark. Nowhere to run, no one to take me in their arms and say, “It’s all right.”

No one to lead me through the door.

I close my eyes and curl up in a ball, trying to stop the onslaught of tears that well up at my eyes, begging to come out. But I can’t open my eyes. I can’t allow myself to open my eyes.

Yet out of the darkness, a single ray of light shines. I look up, searching the doorway for someone, anyone, but there is no silhouette, no figure come to take my hand and lead the way.

So I sit there, tears hammering on my lids because I cannot walk through the door.

“Why don’t you come in?” A small voice asks.

My head shoots from my knees...and there they are. My saviors.