A/N: Where did this come from? I don't know. Warnings of a super angsty pre-show Jackson. I just noticed I didn't use any names in this little piece. Well, the wom is Melissa in case you didn't know. Duh. Review. Love ya.
Illusions
She appeared to him like a candle in the darkness.
He hadn't asked for her. He was used to being alone, had figured out long ago that he always would be. He wasn't sad about it, not really. It was hard to miss something you never had to begin with.
And then she walked into his life. An angel in disguise, he didn't even recognize her. The first time they talked, he barely looked up.
But she saw him. With her wide brown eyes, she saw past the coolness of his exterior and showed him compassion. Her unwavering faith in him was misplaced, of that he was sure, but she was a resilient one. No matter how hard he tried to shake her, if only for her own sake, she always came back with a new angle, a kind smile. And soon, without even realizing it, he began to rely on her.
And then one day, she came to him with the chance of a lifetime in her hand. It was the chance to get away and create a brand new him; the chance to make something of his life. She reached out to him and waited with all the patience in the world. She believed in him.
And even though her light blinded him, he accepted. He shielded his eyes and let her take him under her wing. He let himself believe in her, and in turn believed in himself.
He should have known it would all go to hell. As Flight 29 fell out of the sky, he closed his eyes and wished it all away. Wished he could go back in time and save these innocent people from his own untimely fate. Save her.
He had always known happiness was not within his reach. It was always just a cruel illusion.
He couldn't touch the light without burning it out.