intruder
-- Alex --

crouched in a corner
a girl is crying
her knees up to her chin
her arms around her head
as if protecting her
from violent blows
she sobs and weeps
gently rocking back and forth
in the shadows of the darkened room
the sound is clear
she sees you move in the doorway
sees your silhouette
outlined in the light
the crying stops
you can barely see her crouched in the dark
you shift
flashlight swinging
flashes onto her face
red, bloodshot eyes
rimmed with tears
bleeding lightly above
her swollen left eye
she blinks, ducks her head
sits still
as if afraid a movement
will hurt her, make you hurt her
you see the terror
pain
hurt
in her eyes
and it hurts you
so you turn away
close the door
look away
your friend, colleague looks at you
shines his flashlight on your face
asks what it is
what's wrong with you
you lie
say nothing's there
let's keep looking
swing your gun back to your hip
adjust your badge
as you radio to base
no intruder here
you walk away
and try to forget that
crouched in the corner
a girl is crying

 

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