A/N: I don't presume to think anyone will understand this piece. I do think it's an apt representation of the mindset involved. It needed written. For my critics: I value every observation.

Please remember I primarily write poetry.

Inside

He stood, hands on his hips, watching the proceedings in the next room.

He listened, heart heavy, as the suspect on the other side of the glass told his story.

He turned, expressionless, and walked away.

Outside, the sun was shining. The birds sang and the children laughed.

Inside, there were cries of pain, drowning peaceful contemplation.

Outside, the warm breeze blew the blades of grass like a tender caress from God.

Inside, demons gripped his soul, sowing doubt and mistrust in a higher power.

Outside, lovers held hands, husbands kissed wives, children hugged parents.

Inside, there was only darkness.

Another case solved. Another victim found. Another night's sleep lost.

But inside…

They would miss him, he knew. Before too long, someone would look up and notice he was gone. Depending on who realized it first, they might look for him, shake their head or go back to their task. He was beyond caring. Nothing would slip past the carefully built barrier. It wasn't allowed. His heart was well protected. Shielded behind a wall of stone. Each rock, each pebble gleaned from experience placed with painful attention to detail. Each one a reminder of what went before.

Some would try to get past his defenses. Some might almost succeed. But in the end, they would tire of the fight andgaze upat the impenetrable fortress in despair.

It was not always so. There was one, once, that knew how to scale the walls. Knew where the key to the fortress was hidden.

Knew the walls were not constructed of stone, but ice. And ice, after all, can be melted.

But it was not meant to be. That one was gone, too, and the walls stood tall and invincible yet again. Stronger and more forbidding, the fortress was whole. Those who clamored and cried for attention at the gates, those who begged and pleaded to be let in were turned away.

Safe and secure in the darkness.

He stood, hands on his hips, watching the proceedings in the next room.

He listened, heart warm, as the man on the other side of the table told his story.

He turned, hiding his amusement, and walked away.

It would not do to let them know they'd been allowed…

Inside.