Sacrifice

"Why'd you do it?
Why'd you leave?
Didn't you know
You'd be hurting me?"

My friend sits in anguish
her eyes so sad
Like I could control it?
It just made me mad

"I didn't mean to,"
I plead with her
"But don't you get it?
your life was so pure."

Her mouth is agape
her face aghast
I have the urge to run
but I stay at last

I angle her mirror,
so she can see me
my ghostly form there
"How can this be?"

"I had to do it
I had to save you all."
I saw the memory haunt her
a bottomless fall

I watch her flashback...
a drill we were taught
we all hid in fear
waiting for a shot

There was a crash
as the intruder fell through
the glass shattered, broken
at that I knew

Everyone screamed
rushing for the window
they broke it and jumped
I just stayed low

I lept from my spot
distracting his aim
hoping to buy time
making a game

Everyone got out
but I jumped at him
clawing at his eyes
he shot at me limb

Crimson flowed
coating the floor
adrenaline rushed
to spring and soar

I crashed into his chest
I heard a crack
as bone met metal
breaking his back

He died right then
but not without a shot
I fell in a puddle
to live I would not

A sea of red
flowing from my heart
drenching my clothes
I hoped I'd been smart

I never left that spot
my final rest
everyone had been silent
as if it were a test...

She returna to reality
my nonexistent form
still demanda her gaze
her emotions torn

I had saved their lives
but lost my own
my friend was grieving
managing a moan

They fixed the glass
but never my friend
she thought it was over
surely the end

Even now I see her sadness
her anger at me
she thinks she's dreaming
ignoring my plea

"Why'd you do it?
Why'd you leave?
Didn't you know
you'd be hurting me?"

She yells at my shadow
I may not exist
but it hurtst what I was
she clenches her fist

She wonders why
what was her value
that I would die
In minutes so few

As I disappear
just an empty mirror
dust in her eye
I whisper in her ear

"Don't you get it?
If only you knew.
How could I live
without you?"