It's a ladder made of helping hands, but when you reach the top and make it out you look down to see that you're walking on the faces of the people that you love. They're smiling while choking on the dirt from your bare feet and telling you that you are almost there.

The guilt burned you up from the inside out. God, how it caused you so much pain over the last few years. But this time the flames were real. I saw that fire lick across your face and your hair curl and burn away to nothing. I saw your lips peel back from your teeth and I swear