The life of a Key Bearer is quite the lonely one. You are the sole responsibility of the world’s darkest secrets. To ensure none of them are found, the ties that bind you to your loved ones are broken. You will never meet another soul for the rest of your existence.

I had taken this job because I was at a low point in my life. Each loss, however minor, dug me deeper into the hole I trapped myself in. I left my expensive earbuds on the bus, the promotion I had worked so hard for was given to someone else, my father died, and my girlfriend cheated on me with my best friend. I felt there was nothing else for me to do than to pull away from my life crumbling beneath my feet. So when a mysterious man offered me the task to protect the thoughts that are held dear, I agreed with no hesitation.

But, particularly on Valentines Day, I occasionally forget I’m alone. Whispers of concealed feelings come from the other side of the door as I stand guard. Fantasies of kisses under the moonlight, of dancing in the rain. Thoughts of gifting flowers, of getting married, of listening to the your loved one’s favorite song. All of these things are blissful to relish in, even if I can never experience those things for myself ever again.

When the final hours of the holiday of love tick by, the whispers die down to quiet. Loneliness creeps back into my heart. My hands grip around the thousands of keys around my belt. As midnight approaches, my eyes flutter closed. One last secret sneaks its way into my ears before I drift to sleep.

“I regret hurting you, Nate. Even if you never want to see me again, I’ll do all I can to find you.”