eyes glow green

running, still running. its as if a fire were set ablaze in every unseen corner, and we are the only ones who can see.

an orange glow damped the green lights, but did nothing to ease the cut of the wind. being too close was burning alive, too far, freezing to death.

Hood still pulled far over your face, as far as one can be from another while sitting in a circle. favoring the crackle of the blaze and the howl of the wind to conversation.

"its a wonder the powers still on."
you don't move to acknowledge my words.
louder now,
"its a wonder that these lights have stayed powered this long"
this time your head lifts, one eye brow raised and your cheek tense, you look confused, or annoyed.
"what?"
i hesitate and stutter over my words, thinking that this must be a trap, some how, your still angry... I try my luck.
this time with eye contact.
"I said, I cant believe there's still power out here."
you look as though I'm speaking in riddles and gaze almost frozen back at me.
"listen, if you don't want to talk that's fine, I'm heading to bed.."
my last words spoken as i turn away from the fire my head still down, watching my footing as I stand
"Wait!", you stand and reach out your arm across the fire,
when my head turns I see the what the fire was hididng from your eyes, horror, not resentment or anger, horror.
"There is no power here," you stammer across the flames,
we both freeze, eyes lock on each others, your hand tight around my arm
"what the hell do you see out there, because the only light is this fire."

there are no words only the absence of sound that has stolen the whole of my throat when my mouth opens.

we run.