No Words

He was 18. His girlfriend was 17. She had a dog who she slept with every night. He made her feel safe. Her boyfriend wasn't the same. He made her nervous. Afraid. But, he told her lies. Said he would be there for her. Said that he needed her. Said that he loved her. She had never felt love before, so she believed him. He would beat his girlfriend regularly, and on that one occasion, he beat her to death. There was a struggle. Violent smattering of words. Not much of a fight. No words. Then, a thud. Nobody heard it. The dog barked. He sat in silence. Sitting in her bedroom, frozen in shock. Her parents came home soon later. Found the scene. The cops came. Took the boy for a ride. He held his head low in shame. No words. Just a ride up north. He is 36 now. Youth used up. He longs for the past. But he settles for today.