hot flame in my veins.
Nears the point
of misfire.
They say, when facing
the onslaught of tooth
and claw, a creature’s
heart can simply quit.
My heart
issues a warning, and
though I keep my feet,
my brain disconnects.
A black ghost swirls,
threatens
to suck me inside.
Voices. All around me.
Can’t see who they
belong to, but I want them
to stop.
Stop. Slow. Silence.
GENTLE SHAKING
I am swimming up.
Voices make me want
to dive back down.
… you all right? Bryce.
… coming out of it. Micah.
… be okay now. Grandfather.
… freaking weird. Anonymous.
I am making an awful
scene at Aunt Cora’s
wedding. Oh my God.