The words, the ones leaking from her lips, her pen, her keyboard
They gleamed vulnerability, tenderness, jovial good humor.
They spoke of love fulfilled, of compassion.
But there was a hiss, sibilant, almost imperceptible.
Poisonous
Deadly
Created specifically to terrify, to sicken.
Veiled threats, hidden taunts.
The target flinches, a wince, a grimace.
She flees. The malice slides from her skin, her mind with each running footfall.
She is safe now.
