Word Count: 117 (I tried to reign it in...it wouldn't cooperate)

Prompt: Cold

It bubbled forth from his lips, like a wild thing escaping from it's cage and defying it's master. There was no way he could stop it from reaching her ears, no matter how badly he wished he could.

Once it was out, he couldn't take it back; couldn't erase the flash of hurt that danced in her eyes.

He hadn't meant to be callous. He hadn't meant to trivialize how she felt.

But that's how it came across.

That's how it always comes across.

He tried to take it back, but such heavy damage to the heart is not so easily erased.

Her eyes went hard and her tone turned cold. "I think you should leave, Rodney."