My first reaction wasn't what would be expected. It was like the calm before a thunderstorm, or the silence of a bomb that's just gone off. You know it's going to get noisy and chaotic very soon. But it doesn't matter; the moment is timeless, stretching on for eternity, allowing you an infinite amount of thought in a miniscule space of time. Except there wasn't. Unlike the calm before the thunderstorm, or the silence before an explosion, when all though there is very little, there is still something, a presence, or the slight warmth of life around you. However this time there was nothing, no slight breeze, and no stray thought. Just emptiness, a blankness rolling on into a grey mist, never ending. But like all things that have a beginning, there must be an end to it. And with this thought it all collapses, the fragile peace that was once there, replaced by chaotic, violent thoughts, mixed in with a sound, a feeling, a burning all consuming fire, screaming one word. Why? A word that has plagued mankind for centuries. And yet the overwhelming anger and feeling of hurt that follows a split second after dwarf that question. That need to know the reason, oh so important a second ago, is brushed aside like a bit of ash, forgotten in the fire. A fire in which your entire soul burns and writhes, screeching and wailing, echoing down into the darkest depths of your being. It washes everything in a black, sickening hatred. The next thought intrudes then, forceful and destructive, demanding retribution for the wrongness that permeates the space around you.

Nothing else matters.

Nothing else intrudes on this self-absorbed moment in time.

And then, quietly sliding through the cacophony of colours and sounds comes a small voice. Clear, pure, sweeter than the reddest rose, enticing you out from your shell.

Enquiring, it reaches for you, slowly as not to startle, and pulls you out from the revere.

It is a simple question, asked in innocence and sincerity.

'Are you ok?'

'Yes, I'm fine.' you lie.

The fire is drained away now. It cant withstand the signs of caring. It just wishes for confrontation, for violence. There's a slight moment of relief as it slithers away, promising a return.

Then nothing again. Emptiness. A lack of anything. Your mind goes blank. It's searching for a way out, for a sign that it was mistook, or misheard, but it won't find anything. It will just keep searching in vain.

' Are you still there?'

'Yes'

Now comes the bitterness, and the desperate hope of a dying man. They war, neither side gaining an upper hand, both lacking in any kind of energy. Fighting simply because the alternative is just too painful.

'I'm sorry, I should have told you at the start.'

The bitterness prevails, and the hope gives its dying breath, taking with it something precious and bright.

Now, without anything to keep it going, the bitterness starts to fade, until it is only a slight mark upon a blank field.

'I…'

'I know. I understand.'

This is the point in time when you feel a hand upon your shoulder, and a cold breath whispers into your ear:

"Look over there. You see that? Yes, that. Painful isn't it. But your going to have to look closer…yes, that's it.'

You can screams, and you turn about, searching for the person. You realise its your own mind, and then it hits. Its true, there's no denying it.

The cold voice comes again:

"I'm sorry about this. But you have to admit it."

He reaches over, and you can see his face. Its you, looking back at you with blank, empty eyes. You lean forward, and rip out your own heart.

The screams become louder, and the pain in your chest blossoms, growing, winding itself around you, feeding on the knowledge. You shut everything out, and the world turns black.

An old friend once told me they had their heart broken. I comforted them, but not really understanding why there was so much pain.

Now I understand.

The term: 'She broke my heart', is not a figure of speech.