The Promise
  by Amethyst Jade

I hesitate for a few minutes.
I had made a promise and I didn't keep it.
Again.
I'm not going to get a pleasant reaction.
Well... maybe...

I shed all my clothes and step nearer.
The greeting isn't too bad.
Warm.
Comforting.
Giving.
Embracing.
Loving.

I let out a deep, heavy sigh.
I draw closer to the embrace.
This is nice.
Surprisingly.
The promise is forgotten.

Maybe not!
It seems that I have been a fool to think that all was well.
Knowingly, the touch becomes cold and biting.
A reminder that the promise was not forgotten.

The cold touch leaves as quickly as it came
and again I am embraced by warmth.
As I am surrounded by the heat I ponder the promise.
Should I?
Can I?
What would the costs be?
Is it worth it?

With uncanny timing I am once again bombarded 
by harsh streams that threaten to numb me.
I feel cold.
I look up.
I am angry.
But I say nothing.
I want to but I can't.

This is my fault.
I made a promise.
And yet I still wish to shout,
	"Why are you doing this to me?!
	What have I ever done to you?!"
But I know I have no right to say that.

The punishment stops.
I am once again shown forgiving warmth.
This time I bask in it.
One never knows.

I sigh again.
I wait.
No change.
No punishment.
Just warmth.

Suddenly an intense sensation goes through
my body like a lightening bolt!
My body feels like it's on fire.
But it lasts but a few seconds.

I feel at a loss.
I look up again.
My eyes show fear and yet I still yearn for more.
It will hurt, I know.
But only for a second.
I want it.
I need it.

My prayers are answered.
This time the intensity almost overwhelms me!
PAIN!
I hiss.
But the sensation has passed already.
	"NO!" I shout.
	"More," my mind says. "Please..."

I know... I am a glutton for punishment.
Of course this is not unknown.
My tormentor doesn't care about that.

My pleas have been heard.
I am... rewarded.

This time I am more than taken by surprise.
A blaze of fire has just assaulted my body.
	"Too much!" my mind screams.
I scream too.

I try to arch my body away from the onslaught.
But there is no escape.
I am trapped in this burning embrace.

The pain.
The pleasure.
My mind reels.
I can feel my legs starting to give out on me.
I feel like I'm going to pass out from this excess of heat.

Then slowly I feel myself being released.
I let out a heavy sigh again.
As meant to comfort, I feel a cool touch on body.
As if saying "I'm sorry I hurt you."
Yeah... right.

It's over.
I can go now.
I can step away and just forget about this.
Forget about the promise.
At least, just for a little while longer.
I can get on with my life a bit longer.
With no reminders of the promise.
Unless I am reminded.

Such comforting thoughts I give myself.
I step away.
I look back.
Nothing.
I dress myself.
And as I'm heading out, I am once again reminded of the promise.

So the first thought inside my head is obvious:

	"Damn! I gotta get that stupid shower fixed!!
	Dumb thing switches from hot to cold
	quicker than a UFfer at a N&Npackers' meeting!!!"

The End!

March '99