self-obsessed.

your toes

brush the

line,

dip into

the

icy waters.

there's that

thrill.

doing

something

stupid,

something

dangerous,

and living.

who cares

about

the cost

when the pay

is so

high.

you're an idol.

their praise,

those worshipping

looks

in their

glazed eyes,

they fuel

your very

soul.

you know

it's detrimental.

that one

day you

will go

too far.

but you're

hooked.

you're addicted

to a close

shave,

to staring a monster

right

in

the

face.

this

false bravery

is what

keeps you

going.

it dictates

your life.

without it

you

are

nothing.

Everything hurts.

I'm not sure why.

I want to tell my parents but they have been so busy work 4 different jobs to support us. With Dad drinking every night, Mom worries for us kids.

I want to tell my siblings, but my sister is working hard to get into college. My baby brother has his own problems with the kids at his school. He wouldn't understand anyway.

Everything hurts.

Especially my lungs.

I want to tell my teachers but they have so much to do and so little pay. And they probably can't do anything about it, even if they believed me.

I don't know who to tell. So I tell my dog, not that he can do much other than cuddle me while I cry to sleep.

Everything hurts.

But I have to be brave for everyone.

I'm scared but I can manage. My lungs hurt worse now and the pressure is building. I pass out at least once a day, but no one notices with their busy lives. It's ok. I will learn to deal.

Everything hurts.

Being brave is hard.

Breathing is hard.

My teachers are mad for my low grades. My parents too. Both of my siblings glare at me. I wish they knew. But I have to be brave.

Everything hurts.

Everything hurts.

Everything hurts.

Nothing hurts anymore. I guess its hard to feel when you no longer exist. This is what my bravery got me.

The first plane stolen from the pilot,

was flown into a skyscraper.

A second stolen was crashed into the other just like it.

Both buildings fell with countless lives lost.

Terrorists.

No bravery there right? No courage?

As bravery is courage, there are

three components that make up courage:

goal, personal risk, and choice.

They had courage, not good but bad.

They had a goal.

They risked their lives.

They made the choice.

But courage or bravery ending in

the harm of self or others,

is not good. It is bad.

When the time was right what they knew of life would be perfect. Preparations were made by everyone. Faint at heart, or cowards we called them, would not be among the strong.

From the beginning he knew he had what it would take. On the day he first stumbled upon the rag tag group their secrecy and message seemed so appealing. Could it be true? Even he Richard Roswel is grand enough to enter the amazing world the leader spoke of.

Once the desire to enter this new place became his. All reality and conscience left him. He was told that too be given an entrance into this new world fear must be abandoned.

Something powerful was going to take place but only the bravest would enter. He knew he had what it would take. The name they were told to address the leader was The Guardian. Only because it was taught do as your told and your guardian will watch over you.

What became of this group was blind devotion. Being brave enough to complete the mission ment you had the courage to leave the weak behind.

The Guardian gave such promise if he could do all that was expected of him the higher world could be yours. So train he did. Day after day he practiced weaponry he became the most skilled with all the weapons. Even catching the attention The Guardian.

As time went on the secrets of the rag tag group became evident. An example of bravery was going to happen only he knew what. The Guardians ideas were so tempting that the followers needed to believe it was true. By taking the life of another the only person you loved made you brave.

So the day came when death to each other ment waking up in the place of fearless hearts. Each believing that to allow yourself the pain of losing the one you love was bravery.

Richard knew that The Guardian had never really found love. In reality The Guardian didnt believe in love and he wanted to end love forever.

Now it would be time for real bravery.

All were gathered once the leader took his seat at the head of the stage. All followers knew that choosing to end each others life would be expected. Richard must now be his bravest. The Guardian surrounded himself with many loyal followers that would stop at nothing to protect him.

The day of waking up in a better world was upon them. All of Richards planning and preparation would fail if he wasn't brave enough. Richard has to meet The Guardian at center stage.

The first act of pure bravery was slicing the throats of the heavily armed men surrounding the stage.

Easily done. Now the time to move quickly was the only important thing. Too much time and The Guardian would become aware.

Richard had to get to the front of the stage before the leader. Pushing the numb and weak followers out of his way he stood cemter stage just as The Guardian was making his celebrated entrance.

Richard stood face to face with the leader without hesitation shot him in the chest. The brain numb and wounded people didn't know what to do, their leader didnt take his place at the head of the stage. Richard threw down his weapon and stood at the center of the stage.

The crowd were starting to get noisy. Richard addressed them with these words."there is now no need to end our lives to be in a better place". These words became a releaf to them. One by one the men women and children began to search for thier lived one's. Mothers hugged children. Aged grandparents hugged each other.

After the rag tag group went back to their dwellings. The discussion became very clear. The true act of bravery is too love as deeply as one can knowing heart break is going to happen. Love is always worth the risk. Sometimes the pain of losing something you love is worth it. Losing love can also bring stronger love the next time