"These will be the last tears you ever take from me."
The words echoed around the dark room. He glanced towards her, a smirk already set on his lips. She's weak, he thought, defenceless, pathetic. She'll never escape.
He stared at her, shocked as his eyes settled on her determined face. He could tell she had changed & her new found confidence unnerved him.
Awestruck, he gaped at her. He could do nothing as she undid the large padlock clasping her cage shut. She stepped out from behind the gold bars & shot one last look at her captor.
Then she was gone, out of the dungeon & out of his life for good.
He tried to follow her but she was too strong, too powerful, too beautiful. The unpleasant truth dawned on him. He couldn't leave. After so long keeping her prisoner, he now could not leave the dungeon.
Quickly, he stepped into the cage, clanging the heavy door shut behind him, sealed the padlock & sighed.

I'll tell you a few things about myself.
For a living, I run. That's it.
It's a wonderful feeling, the speed & the knowledge that I'm running towards a goal. There's always something greater. I never glance back; I never witness the dust trailing from my feet.
I just run. I escape. I'm no professional, no athlete, although sometimes I think I should be.
I enjoy chaos, it excites me. I can never stick around when buildings start falling. I need to get out, I can't listen to people worry. See, I don't have problems. You don't need them. I can leave them all behind. I get out & make a fresh start.
That's enough from me, I have to leave. Can you guess who I am?

I knew I had the power when I was about 16. I remember the feeling so well & I can still taste it. I remember the hunger it created. At that moment, I vowed never to lose that control.
I remember his face. I remember that unconvincingly concealed despair & those lips clamped tight, holding back tears.
I breathed it all in. Relished the moment, I'd have drowned in it if I could have. That pain was all caused by me.
I knew that was just the start. I knew I was capable of so much more.
What satisfied me most was that I knew no one suspected a thing. Not from me. Appearances can be deceptive & I knew that this was my greatest tactic. The element of surprise.
To this day I've told no one, & I'll keep it that way. Not a thing will be expected, until there is no escape. You cannot imagine how great this power could be.
It's my greatest skill, my darkest secret, my one weakness.

Go, run & tell the neighbours your problems
He's misusing you, mistreating you
Say it with your eyes
Uncover the marks on your shoulders
Can you open your mouth & admit it all?
Admit you made a mistake
A bad choice?
Could you tell the kids they never should have happened?
Are you going to spend every sentence apologising?
You can't
Suffer in silence through the days
Perfect little wife
Cook, clean, care, cry
What else is left to do in life?

I can't say it doesn't hurt
That you're turning to another page for the answers you seek
I've never delved in deep enough
Only scratched the surface, introduced the topic
I'm just the beginning, more can be promised
From another
Just go, I want you to have all you need
But I'd like you to experience it with me
You know what would make me the happiest?
If you could fold down my page
Return to me once in a while for my wit
My laugh, my smile; the unique qualities i have to offer
You can turn to others for their input
As long as I am where your bookmark rests

I lean my head on my arm & gaze out of the window. My mind keeps asking, where are you? When will you return to me? My ring, the diamond that weighs down my left hand compares nothing to the heaviness of my heart. I count down the days until another notch slides onto the fourth digit, proclaiming you mine forever.
The rest all marvel at your bravery, your selflessness. Leaving your own princess to rescue another from the clutches of the dragon? Now that's courage. It isn't your job, your duty, but you do it all the same. But who will watch over me? Who will protect me from harm.
No one.
The princess sitting alone in her tower, listening to the wind hiss the truth. The leftover princess, the one no one wanted. The plain, plump, waste of space with the rich father.
I'm sorry I was pawned off on you, that you were forced into this. I love you, I really do. I understand why you obviously prefer her; exciting, beautiful, witty, interesting, all the things a princess should be.
Two princesses, how do you make a choice? How do you choose between riches & love? Between honouring a promise & eternal happiness?
I will not forgive you if you do not return. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. You met me first; you made me believe I deserved more than life had blessed me with. I don't care how amazing she is, you are mine, & that is that.
I see a dot in the distance, bright colours flying towards me.
Growing larger. Your colours.
I run down the spiral staircase, daintily stepping out onto the cobbles. The daylight seems harsh after the gloom of my stone tower. The glare cruelly reminds me that I don't deserve freedom.
I look towards the centre of the courtyard. You're regaling your followers with tales of your conquest. The dragon slain, the maiden grateful. They're all in awe of you, hanging onto your every word. I smile a little to myself; you are my prince, the one they all adore. I stand a little away from the crowds, but still in plain sight, waiting for you to notice me.
I stand awkwardly, patiently waiting. I wait for what seems like an age, to no avail. Your eyes have flickered towards me not once. My chest begins to tighten, my breath catches in my throat as realisation hits.
I retreat inside, to resume my watch post at my window. I leave my ring outside, cold on the cobbles.
I hope a beggar will notice the shine of the diamond. They can put it to good use, their need far greater than mine. You don't need fancy jewels to watch the world pass by.

Come take a walk through my life
I'll show you the sights
Step this way
A guided whistle-stop tour
Beginning to end
Experience the dizzying heights
Teeter on the edge of the terrifying pits
Take a look to your right
                                          A landmark, a monument
                                                                                       A momentous occasion
                                                                                                                                  The first time
                                                                                                                                                         A turning point

& stop.
Get out.Well you can't
Back in my cart
Again, we speed off
Your head is nodding
Have I bored you to sleep?
The repetitive motions
Something you can count on, rely on?
Has it all become something predictable?Move slowly, carefully
It appears;
                   Get out of here before it's too late!
You've seen the consequences smashed on the floor
Rather it was me than you
& you're goneSo here's my last stop
Alone again, in this room
This is where it all gets too much
This is where I drowned.