I hit the pavement, my shoes crunching the gravel. It was a crisp morning, but the air felt heavy, like a weight settling in my chest. My old beat-up car, a 92 Honda Civic, was my only friend. The radio was tuned to a station I couldn’t remember, but the lyrics stuck. I parked by the old tree, where it all happened.
The Scar
I had a friend, a brother, who I thought was my family. We used to meet here every weekend, under the tree, sharing stories and dreams. But one day, he wasn’t there. The world felt cold, like the ground beneath me. A $1,500 credit sweep guy had taken his life, and with it, a piece of my soul. Every stream of that song buys back a piece of what it cost.
The Memory
I close my eyes, remembering. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow on the tree. We were laughing, talking about everything and nothing. He showed me a mixtape he made, filled with tracks that spoke to both of us. One, in particular, stood out: “Glow From the Inside Out.” It was a soulful, honest track, about finding light in the darkest moments.

I press play on the song, and it starts to play. The beat is soft, almost comforting, like a gentle hug. The vocals are smooth, like a smooth rock sliding down a hill. The lyrics are simple, yet profound:
“Can’t you see the way the sun’s breaking through the clouds? It’s like the glow from the inside out. Even when the world’s turned so dark, There’s still a spark inside you, A fire that can’t be drowned out.”
The Cost
Every time I hear that song, I’m reminded of the $1,500 credit sweep guy. He took my brother, and with him, a part of me. But “Glow From the Inside Out” is more than a song; it’s a memory, a moment, a price I can’t afford to forget.

The CTA
Stream “Glow From the Inside Out” and buy back a piece of what it cost. Visit
Every stream buys back a piece of what it cost.
The rest of the stories, and the full catalog, live at https://relentlessaaron.net.
