Darkness. It Can Comfort. It Can Consume

But, at the same time, the blanket can choke you, strangle you. It ties you up and doesn't let you go, no matter how hard you struggle. The water can pull you into its depths, drowning you, smothering you. Every attempt to break free only drains you, until you're too exhausted to keep trying, and at that time point, you have to accept your fate."   I stared at Moon in disbelief. The rustling of the leaves halted, as if it, too, was surprised. Moon's lip quivered, and she bowed her head, whimpering quietly.   With pain stabbing my heart, I grabbed her hands, wishing to soothe her with comforting words. But all that came out was, "Then why do you go back?"   Moon sniffed and simply stated, "There's a strange peace with being smothered."   "W- what?"   "You know how your final moments when drowning feel… peaceful? That's the same thing in this case. The darkness may suffocate you, smother you, choke you, drown you and leave you feeling helpless, but I find that prospect somewhat comforting. Comforting in the sense of now that your life as you knew it is over, you don't have to suffer anymore" — she looks at the sky with a mournful smile — "Feel pain anymore. Feel hurt anymore. Now that all you have is the warm and cold embrace of darkness."   She turns to me once more, fresh new tears streaming down her face.   "That's why I keep going back."