Title: Not a Heart of Stone
Fandom: The Mentalist
Rating: PG-13
Length: 100 words
Content notes: No spoilers. Inspired by the following pictures: picture 1 - picture 2.
Author notes: A drabble. Written for the September 2013 Monthly Challenge on Paint It Red and the photo challenge on fan_flashworks. Also for the Countdown to The Mentalist Season 6 on redjohnlovesyou.
Summary: The flame died in his eyes, and he wept. (The Lord of the Rings)



When he was done in the main bedroom he took the few steps across the corridor and cracked the door to the other bedroom open.
The little girl was still sleeping soundly; he paused in the doorway listening to her soft breathing. When he tiptoed near the bed the child finally opened her eyes and stared at him in the darkness.
“Who are you?” she murmured, her voice thick with sleep. “Have you come to get me?”
She was probably thinking of the bogeyman – and she wasn’t far from the truth.
The flame died in his eyes, and he wept.