But what's even scarier is that you don't know exactly how much life you have in you to bargain.
Something is in there with you. In the confines of this square room, something is lurking in the corners. Obviously, you can't see it. You can't even hear it. But you can sense it. It's there. You might have a name for it, you might not. You might even know what it is but are refusing to believe it. Whatever the case, you know it will attack. But you don't know when.
Your breathing is heavy and you're sweating bullets. You run in one direction and slam into the wall, searching for a doorknob, a keyhole, a weak spot to throw yourself through. Anything to get you out.
But the second you touch that wall, something grabs you by your shoulders and rips you back. You scream and stumble but don't fall. You can't figure out what you're more afraid of: the fact that it attacked you just now or the knowledge that it will attack you again.
Slowly, you start to edge toward another part of the room. This time, it shoves you harder and you land on your hands and knees, shaking badly. Embarrassingly, you actually whimper. Your fear is overpowering. This is your worst nightmare.
A sharp kick catches you in the ribs and you collapse onto your side, choking for air. The fear has escalated and you catch your breath before furiously crawling to where you think there might be a wall. But you don't get far. It grabs your ankle and hauls you back.
"What are you?" you scream, kicking wildly.
It says nothing and lets go of you. You stand up and make a crazy grab and punch. On the punch, you catch part of it. It's cold and slithery, like a snake. But it was human-like in shape; you think you caught a shoulder or elbow. You reach out again and get a firm grasp on it's arm.
Then it's a fight. It's hands are freezing your arms but you're not letting go. You hold your own for a few minutes, but the longer you hold on, the stronger it gets. It's like it's feeding off of your strength, making you weaker. It forces you to your knees and pushes you on your back. The hands stop pinning your arms but swiftly move to your neck.
"No! Don't!" you gasp. You flail as hard as you can but the hands get tighter. You're slipping under.
"HELP! Somebody! Please!" are the lsat words you think you can say. Tears are rolling down your face. This thing is destroying you. But a thought stuns you and you know it's true: this is you. You brought this on yourself. You know that this is your greatest struggle and you can't battle it anymore. It's finally taking over. And it's been a long-time coming.
Please, someone save me. I can't fight this anymore. You're desperate. You're dying.
Your eyes close slowly. It's almost over. Part of you wants it to end, but most of you doesn't want it to be like this.
Suddenly, blinding light floods the room. It shocks you back into reality and instantly the hands around your neck disappear. An awful noise is coming from the corner, like something dying. Someone is standing over you. It's a man. He's fuzzy because you almost just died. But he's helping you up. The thing in the corner is writhing in agony from the light.
"Why...why are you so late?" you gasp, feeling your neck. You know that bruises are already starting to show up, a painful reminder of what nearly destroyed you.
"You didn't ask until just then. I was with you always--all you have to do is ask," he replies softly and gathers you into his arms.
You start crying because you've been so scared and now you're so relieved. You've been saved. And to this savior you'll cling.
"Free. Come set me free. Down on my knees. I still believe you can save me from me. Come set me free. COME SET ME FREE. I STILL BELIEVE. Inside this shell there's a prison cell." --"Free" by Switchfoot
No comments:
Post a Comment