“People are like stained glass windows.

  They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,

  but when the darkness sets in,

  their true beauty is revealed

  only if there is a light from within.”

  -Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

  An empty bookstore, yet with barren bookshelves. Open windows, yet only the breeze whispers.

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  …

  A bell rings. The front door opens.

  SLAM!

  Scrap metal falls from the shaken shelves. He leans his back on the door. He closes his eyes.

  …

  He slides down to the floor.

  …

  He cups his head into his knees.

  …

  SHATTER!

  …

  He lifts his head up; a small, splintered glass heart lies across the floor. He scoffs and briefly smiles.

  …

  …

  drip.

  A jaded jewelbird sits beside a welded ferrous wheel.

  He throws the broken heart with the others, resting in a cold, metal cabinet. He wraps a blue apron around his waist and straps a black welding helmet to his head. He picks up the charred welding gun.

  …

  ...

  He sets it down.

  …

  He sits. He takes his welding mask off.

  …

  …

  He stands up and clears the table of spare glass projects.

  He stands at the edge of the worktable.

  …

  SMASH! He screams. SMASH! SMASH! The wood starts to dent. SMASH! SMASH! The table starts to jump. SMASH! SMASH! SMASH!! SMASH!! SMASH!!! He falls to the floor, in tears.

  …

  …