Inspired by the Demon Hunter song, "Heartstrings Come Undone"

In our dim little corner, we huddled together, the elder and I. The city was nearly abandoned. While buildings toppled or slowly rotted around us, I remained… and so the elder chose to remain, as well. I don't know why, but even though I'd mentally chained myself to the wall, and though it meant death, the elder chose to stay by my side.

More than that, he shared with me his treasure. A little piece of glass. Not any regular shard chipped from the many broken windows around us. This one… this one glowed. It was like a piece of solid light. It brought painful contrast to my world of rubble, casting everything in whites or dark shadows. The elder held it between us, always, even when I encouraged him to leave me. He just gazed at his treasure with eyes full of hope, and told me, "I will wait for you; pray for you."

Really?

His response: "Before I make my final run, I will stay with you; decay with you."

Why? Why would he do this?

Here was I, clinging to something old and worthless, something that would eventually kill me. After all, here I had no food, no company save this seemingly senile man who loved me enough to stay. I was essentially committing suicide for this love I refused to release, though it continued to be beaten down by years of dark and storms. Why would the elder suffer all of this with me?

He smiled. "Why do you think my Master left me here in the first place?"

To wait for me?

…Decay?!

It made no sense.

He could see the astonishment and bewilderment in my eyes. With the same knowing smile, he gestured to the window.

Outside, the storm clouds were parting, parting for something all too bright to me. Otherworldy. It was a castle, no, a palace! All made of glass, glowing brilliantly as it descended toward the broken world that had once been beautiful.

Time was running out.

I took the elder's outstretched hand. Gently, he led me away from the empty ruins. We began our journey across the ghost city. It had no allure for me anymore.

A greater treasure awaited…

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
-1 John 2:15