Frozen Hope

He stood completely frozen as the guards left, as his whole world began crashing down around him. The dried tears on his face stung, penetrating into his skin, as the hole in his heart spread to a dangerous level. He crumpled to the ground, burying his face into his knees, his hands into his hair. He wanted his father. More than anything, he wanted his father back. And his family. His mother, and brother. But they weren't coming back for him. He hugged himself tighter. He was alone now. No one else could protect him. He had to trust only himself, and even that mightn't be safe. He shivered, the walls collapsing, trapping him beneath. If this was how he had to live for the rest of his life, he wasn't sure he wanted to live it. No, he didn't want to live it. But he had to. Because there was something worth living for at the end. He hoped.

[160 words]