There’s something in my room. I can’t see it but, I know it’s there. I’m in absolute darkness but, my instincts tell me something’s watching me. I hear it. Am I just making it up? There’s nothing there.

Danger

I realize in my next breath my chest is tighter. Gripping my lungs. I think I see it. Small So small I think I hear it. No sounds just sensation. I roll over Eyes They peer into me. It rips my head in two. I spill out. The anxiety grows. My body feels hot. It’s on fire. Every cell screams to sprint away. As fast as I can. I almost do.

Remember,

Exhale

Remember,

Inhale

I Forget.

Exhale

It grows. Like a bloody, rotten sludge. I feel consumed. I’m being eaten and I can’t move. I can feel it slither up me but I can’t move. I’m dying and I can’t move.

Remember,

Exhale The sludge stops for a second.

Time.

This will pass.

It blinks.

I haven’t looked away.

My fingers twitch.

I move them one at a time.

Next is the toes. My feet. My hands. My arms.

Inhale. Exhale.

I shift my head slightly. I don’t want to move to quickly or I’ll be taken. No sudden movements.

One step at a time. Inhale exhale

I regain the idea of being in a body.

I move. One step at a time. Inhale exhale I move

The heat is less excruciating. Inhale exhale My hairs lower. Inhale exhale I run my hands up my stomach. I feel my body. I touch my face. My ears. My eyes. My nose my mouth. I’m in here.

It’s a shell. It’s me.

The eyes look questioning. Not confused. They want me. They doubt me.

I doubt me. Inhale Exhale

Sit up Look away Inhale exhale

It’s gone.

No longer in my room. Peering through the crack in the door. I look for a little longer but it is done. It’s hand leaves the door. For now. It watches.