Ruin This

The drums rattle across the burning battleground, soldiers lying in bloody piles. I hold her close to my breast as the early morning light dances around us. Her shaky breaths cause my ears to ring.

Sweet, soft music almost starts to play around us. My vision becomes a blurry swarm of shapes, her face the only thing in focus. Hauntingly beautiful blood spills over her lips, I close my eyes to almost will this horrible nightmare away.

Her warm hand cups my face, butterflies, and dandelions float in the air. The wind has blown some of her hair into her eyes, sticking to her cheeks where the strawberry popsicle had left a sticky residue. Her face breaks into a lovely smile as she giggles.

My eyes open again, and I'm back to this horrible reality. I feel the tears streaming down my face and onto her arm, everything glistening in the dim light. I choke on my sobs, and I wish for it to all go away, for the picnic to come back.

My heart yearns to help in any way I can, the smallest shred of hope rises in me when she smiles. "I love you." Be still my foolish heart, don't ruin this on me.