heart is bulging out of my chest

the air

thin

 

hand clutched over mouth

no sound shall escape

no sound

 

the blood gushes through my veins

roars

angry and scared

 

rough stone scratches at my neck

so long as I press against this wall

I’ll know that no one is behind me

 

they’re near

shhh

still

 

numb, all my limbs, numb

why can’t I feel anything

paralyzing