Lying between black silk sheets, rolling endlessly back and forth. A soft moan escapes her parched lips and a thin arm reaches up to wipe her sweat-drenched face. Eyes that are closed tight in slumber are horrified by what they see. A slight impression is felt upon the feathers as he kneels beside her restless form. Fingers trace along the pale skin, smoothing the troubled lines marring the gaunt face. His strong hands gently cup her thin cheeks and sweep the loose tendrils of limp hair from shadowing her eyes. Her lips quiver with fear as her body lurches with the sudden agony. Silent tears stream down the wane cheeks as her face contorts with a spasm of pain and sorrow. Her eyes flutter open and stare straight ahead into the bleakness of the night. Horrible heart-rending sobs wrack her frail body with the anguish and torment of her suffering. Her small hand reaches to her face where she can still feel his touch. A cry savagely rips past her throat as she throws herself back into the darkness, back into her misery.

The wind quietly plays with the cascading drapes as it seeks to enter, carrying with it the whispers of passion... "I love you"...

Her eyes remain staring...