The Silver Lighter

He stood frozen outside the slightly ajar door, listening to his beloved's agonizing cries. His trembling hand retreated from the doorknob, and he fled into the cold night. Hours later, the battered woman dragged herself to the doorway. The monster who attacked her was gone. But upon seeing a small, familiar object lying on the doormat, all the remaining light left her eyes. She slowly tied a noose. The monster only broke her body, but that small object shattered her soul.