Pushing those first memories from her mind, she could only think of her legs. They burned from over-straining and being under worked.


Running as fast as she could, every stride provided a new smack from a low hanging bush, or shrub tall enough to reach her face. The beating from the now fast growing dense forest of Eden. May not have been worth running through.


As she ran through some thistles and thorns, the sting of what felt like a thousand needles, slowed her down. Becoming slightly nervous, she rejected the pain, over being caught and him catching up to her.

She broke through the bushes. She knew he wasn’t that far behind her.

Only focused on getting away, the tiny rips of broken skin began to bleed. Strangely, it felt good. In a weird way it made her feel proud. She smiled inside. Thinking how she had made it through that pain and is still running ahead.

The cool feeling of fresh blood drying fast, started making her skin feel tighter and tighter. With every breeze she felt accomplished. She felt stronger. Satisfied. Satisfied that she made it through something so painful to her, with no complaint. Or even a second thought.

She was actually surprised with herself. That she didn’t let it stop her.


She thought back again. To a time when she refused to jump over a couple of stones, with the one she happened to be running from.

Atom was only trying something new, that he had found fun. She took his excitement as being selfish and inconsiderate of her feelings. Doing something so pointless seemed, well, pointless to her. It made her frustrated trying to explain her point of view. He just wanted her to see his perspective.


They would be left arguing and bickering for days, over the smallest things. So many times arguing the same fact. Arguing for no, real, reason. Just to be disagreeing, when agreeing.

She would call it a circle, he would call it round. Everytime they would disagree, her feet would hit the ground. Like a comet skipping across the universe. No destination. No stability or positive action. No home all for no reason. Just shooting across space and time without reason or purpose for running.


In that moment, for the first time, she had seen the situation played from a new perspective. As if she was watching herself fight with him. Still running. At a slower speed now the trees and bushes stopped slapping her. As she had more time to see what was ahead.


There was only one issue between them. Understanding and compassion. Well two. Yet, you can’t have compassion without understanding. It didn’t matter now. It was ultimately what tore their unity apart.


In being bitter and irritated with each other. Avoiding each other to keep from starting the same pointless argument, trying to prove a point, they inadvertently created a new game called pride. There is usually never a winner in the game of pride.

Both parties miss out on what could be a perfect ceremony and companionship.

A wholeness that one can’t have, without their other half.


Somewhere along the battle the reason for war is usually forgotten. Leaving two incomplete beings searching for purpose. Instead of being one, tackling goals, and being one’s truest self. Wholly in their created purpose.


Interrupted by a gust of wind through the trees. she heard, but not with her hearing. In her being she felt the words.

“Only if they can find pride for each other, will either win”. Came the sensation of understanding and wisdom. A small whisper from the breeze blew out from the tips of the leaves. She stopped, closed her eyes. Then tilted her head up and just smiled. She thought “finally. “