She stood, face crumpled into an unrecognizable expression of devastation. The old dog lay at her feet; dead. An overwhelming feeling of frustration and sadness washed through her then. She stood there, unable to move but able to cry. The tears were so hot. They fell, punishing her cheeks and dribbling down her chin. Her body trembled with the effort; emaciated shoulders shook in convulsive silence. Then after shocked stillness came the anguish. A shrill cry tore its way out of her throat and she howled with the reality of it all. Boney fingers clutched inward to herself, pressing towards her heart. Lips quivered and fumbled for words to say, any words at all. But there was only grief, representing itself the only way she knew how; unbearable tears. 

 

The sun broke from its curtained slumber then, and the light shown with a blinding brilliance. Her eyes closed and the setting sun bathed her in a moment of dazzling nothingness. Her arms fell to her sides and she stood motionless; devastated face angled up toward the sun.