I wasn't here. No, here was too boring. I was somewhere else. I..I was...running away from a dragon! Yeah! That's right, a dragon! The powerful creature was about to destroy the town but I got the dragon's attention and led it away to an isolated area where my friends were waiting for me to roll through with a trap for the mighty beast. I ran into the mountains as it roared and took off to the skies after me. Adrenaline spread through my body and my legs carried me away as fast as I let them.

Yes. This is where I was. I was full of fear and life. Doing what I wanted, what I enjoyed. This was so much better. Another roar snapped me back into the battle. I was nearly there. Nearly at the trap. I saw a few of my friends nodding at me, hidden away in the forest, letting me know the trap was ready. The dragon landed right behind me and I went flying forward, accidentally setting the trap off myself. It caught me and pulled me up, snagging one of the dragon's arms with it. So here we were, dragon entagled in a trap with me, snapping those large jaws at my small body every chance it got. What a dilemma! What fun! How frightening! I couldn't wait to see what we'd do next! How I'd get out of this alive or die trying. Would my friends help me? Would they betray me and leave me to die, but I'd somehow survive and set off on a quest for revenge?

"Isabel!" The professor shouted, bringing me back to the real world. The boring world.

"Pay attention! Or leave the class." He scolded.

"Sorry." I apologized and went back to being awake and slowly dying inside. No fear. No adrenaline. No crazy predicaments. Just school. Work. And plain, normal, boring life. A life where my friends weren't knights, or dragon slayers, or famous theives. But friends who went to school and work just like me.

The professor went back to the lecture and I looked out the window again. I don't care about this world anymore. It's lame. Just let me dream.

when the pain becomes unbearable

when the tears dry out

when words are no longer enough

what can i do?

Do i stay up

all night

waiting

for something that may not even appear?

Could i ever fall asleep again?

Records of broken memories

of when i used to be happy are long gone

singing to a sad tune that used to be happy

i know that i’m not alright.

no,

not anymore.

so i watch above,

high above

as the fire dies down.

in me

there is no longer

an innocent child

listening to the love

in its parents’ voices.

there is only me,

human,

shattered,

waiting

desperately

for a sign.

The plethora of lies you spew

doth clog your brain disposal spout;

its backup sends your thoughts askew

as sleep descends and dreams abound.

Thus, images become intense-

an endless mistruth nightmare loop;

and terror is your recompense

for malversation and abuse.

Ram your hand down my throat like you’re stuffing a turkey (I am one, after all) and rip out my vocal cords. Tie them to some wood and play it like a guitar. Even out of tune, the music will spell out all the words of the emotions I never told you how I felt. There really is love in here, I swear; it’s just trapped under some fallen debris. Pound me in the head and knock some sense into me while trying to knock the love out of me. Maybe you’ll be able to see it sticking to the brain-matter flowing from my fractured skull (you always hit harder than you should). Listen, I deeply apologize for being your disappointment; I’m so ashamed that I let you down. I guess I ended up being the lover my mother raised me not to be. Here, to make it up and show some form of affection, I’ll gladly rip out my heart and put it in your hand. But you should probably wrap it in rice and seaweed and eat it like sushi. A meal is more filling than my love.

Just be aware of the risks that arise from consuming raw meat.