OrO by Jennifer Julie Miller

Zura
Many a rising I made myself smile even when my heart was breaking. I yearned for my love to be returned, only to never be seen. Once I left, I made a firm promise to myself that I would never return, as my heart couldn’t bear the sight of him with someone else any longer. My wishes were not considered by the powers that be, and now I am once again standing in his presence. Disaster strikes and amidst the sudden darkness and devastation, my mind is solely occupied with finding him. In my final moments, I gather the strength to utter the words that have been deeply embedded in my heart since we were younglings, and the last thing I hear is the sound of his roar of anguish.

OrO
She abandoned me without even a goodbye, and my existence has been a struggle ever since. Her fragrance lingers in the air, and I try to dismiss it as a figment of my imagination until I can no longer ignore its existence. Once more, the subject of my dreams and deepest desires is standing present in front of me. The need to embrace her fills my hands with ache, yet she remains off-limits. It hurts my heart when I see her looking at me with love, knowing that I cannot risk loving her back. A disaster befalls our world, and I find myself standing over the only person who has ever truly mattered to me, watching her life force drain away from her wounds. The words I have always wanted to whisper in secret can no longer be heard, but not even death will take her from me this time. I am prepared to give everything I have to save her, a life for a life.