I am a split person. Not a person in the typical sense of the word, but an object that resembles a human, to be used and awed and feared. A weapon. An object of fire and ice. My fire is buried deep inside, hidden and protected. No one can be allowed to see it; it glows beautifully and enticingly, but it is dangerous. I have buried it away so far down that not even I can feel its warmth anymore. But I can feel it grumbling and burning my insides, longing to be let free. It is part of me, but it doesn't feel like it; I cannot tame it, and I cannot allow it to thaw my frost-bitten heart. It reminds me too much of someone I do not want to become. Its power is terrifying, enough to drive anyone crazy. It is better off hidden, like a hideous burn.

I am ice. Encased and safe, cold and distant. Safe because no one can get close to me, safe so that no one can see my scourge or feel the burning roar of my fire. Safe from myself. My skin is cold and lifeless, no one can light my fire. It is too dangerous, too volatile. I am told if I let my fire overtake me I will become even more awed and feared. I will be beautiful, worth something. But my ice is beautiful to me, and that is enough. I can control this part of me and that makes it desirable. At least I cannot hurt anyone. I could, which is what scares me. Better to be numb and unreachable instead of destructive. I cannot be the weapon they want me to be.

You will be the one to light my fire, even though you may get burned. You are not afraid of me, or what I am capable of. I have never felt that acceptance before. Just because I feel torn, split in half, does not mean I am not human, does not mean both parts of me cannot live in harmony. You tell me to embrace it, that it is mine and mine alone to control. You call to the fire inside me, and I feel it crawling to the surface. At first, I am scared, pushing it down. Then I look up and see you smiling at me as you believe in me. Like it will all be alright. You will let it consume us and we will tame it together. My ice-encased heart will melt away and leave in its place a warm fiery one. I will make it part of me, with you by my side. I am not an object. I am a person and I am beautiful. My burn scars are beautiful, my cold breath is beautiful. You lit me like a match, and I feel warm again, safe even in the midst of the hungry flames. I am fire. I am ice. I am power. I am whole. I am me.