Darkness surrounds.
A candle flickers
in the mirror’s reflection—
A glimpse of your eyes,
no more than twelve,
nose to nose
with your own shadow.
Say the name.
The legend says
the demon will appear.
One time.
Two times.
Three times… more.
Until your future self
stares back at you.
No. Childhood trauma can quietly shatter a child, leaving wounds that later surface as rage, control, or narcissism. Beneath it all is still the hurt child—fragile, terrified, and unreachable. It’s heartbreaking to witness because no amount of love can fix what they won’t face. Saj.