He was the last thread suspending me in the light. Without him, I can feel myself spiraling downward, falling to a place where I can no longer pull myself back up.

To those who, in spite of everything, still choose goodness.

Said the man to the sun, "How I wish you could shine your light on every day of my life!"
Said the sun to the man, "But only with the rain and the night could you recognize my light."
---Domaccan poem, translated by Chevalle

I never saw her again. But even now, as an old man, I remember her as clearly as if she were standing before me. She was ice personified. There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen.

If darkness surrounds you, look for the light. If you can't see it, raise your head up. You may be surrounded by darkness but it does not cover you on top. Let the light shine down on you and let it lead the way out of darkness.

Inside all of us is a light, but some beacons are darker than others, and some are so dark they never realize they are a form of light at all.