I saw the star falling

I was a kid when I met her—the hero of my life.

It might sound cheesy, but to me she was everything I ever wanted to be. Strong, beautiful, smart, and kind. I looked up at her from below where her feet stood, and the view was blinding. The star, the sun, or whatever the kid me would call her.

And during nights she sang me a lullaby; at mornings she delivered me a sweet kiss on forehead; at noon she guarded me from meanies. Whenever I stared at the mirror, I could see her staring back at me with proudness in her eyes. The gleam of her shield said, "it's fine. Keep going."

I was never a brave kid. Lonely at times, sad all the times. This life might take a toll on me but then again, as long as she was here with me, I felt like I could take on everything.

So I grew up; thinking that life is limitless.

I grew up; thinking we could be kids forever.

Nights after nights, the image slowly decayed. At first I thought I was just tired, and that the storm would soon pass so I could see her

in the clear night sky again, since I began to forget how she looked. I missed her. I yearned for her smiles, her voice, her assurance. I really did. So I waited, I waited for another chance we could see each other again by the mirror.

She appeared once during one of the raining nights.

How she looked, however, wasn't how I used to remember.

Her skin was pale, scars were visible beneath her tattered clothes. Hair's thinning and bones sharp. She was also surprised to see me at the end of the line; the ghost of her lips whispered to me through the chilling breeze, "I'm fine. Keep going."

The next time I saw her again, it got gradually worse.

Her clear eyes had faded into hollow pits, as more flesh-open scars crossed her skin. She lost her shield and almost all the shining armors, limping barefoot to me and said, "it's going to be fine. Keep going."

And finally, the third time we meet again, I...

"Where have you been, Miss?"

I missed her.

I missed her so much; I stop her