I run and run and run but I’ll never escape.

The vicious monsters are always in the lead.

They don’t hide under beds,

Or wait in an innocent child’s closet,

Or lurk obscure street alleys.

Instead, they dwell on my shoulders

And whisper alluring malice in my ears.

I play with fire and dance with witches.

I’m a puppet bind to strings I thought I cut loose.

I breathe synthetic independence.

The dark smoke tickles my feet and floods my blood,

Slowly and steadily swimming through my veins.

The monsters disguise themselves as heartening fairies,

O n  m y  s i d e .

The dark smoke advances rapidly…

Swallowing my heart,

Attacking my lungs,

Puncturing my bones.

My mind is slipping and I no longer distinguish light.

The dark smoke succeeds, choking the last bit of life I have left.

I ran and ran and ran but I couldn’t escape.