I feel the breeze surround my bare arms and hold on tight. Too tight. Breathe.

I rush around every corner. Maybe, just maybe, this time I’ll see.

You are there, always near… But never here.

I walk before I think. I climb before I hold. I scream before I know.

It has taken so long for you to show your face.

It has taken so long for me to get in line.

It has been like greeting an old friend.

I feel the sun stroke my bare arms and hold me tight. I am breathing.

In words divine, I found your mind,

In foreign scripts I heard your call,

Loud! like the muezzin, confined,

Or the wailing at the western wall,

Christ! in the darkness I cry!

Man and god!

For they have made your temple into a marketplace

and in you, righteousness must find comfort.

In words divine, I found your mind,

In foreign scripts I heard your call,

Loud! like the muezzin, confined,

Or the wailing at the western wall,

For I am alone.

I am left alone to know,

that all our ideals are dust;

we have left them behind to rust.

I awaken to the dark abyss. As my soul adjusts to the lack of light, I see a pair of glowing red eyes. I stared into eyes the color of hate, anger, and blood. When I did so, I felt an overwhelming sensation of deep, soul-crushing inadequacy and self loathing. As it started to seep down into the very pit of my existence, the monster grabbed my arm and I felt its claws dig into my skin, ripping the flesh.

"Do not flinch." I repeated inwardly, as if that made it any easier.

I grit my teeth against the pain as I cling tightly to my resolve. I refuse to give it the satisfaction of knowing it has affected me.

I smiled sweetly, "is that all you've got" I asked, and immediately I regret my decision. I felt the heat of anger raise the temperature of the room to a hellish degree. A pair of ocean-blue eyes appeared, followed closely by the feeling of regret and sorrow.

The Red-Eyed Monster grabbed my throat and I felt the loss of air but I could not die. As I fought for life, the Blue-Eyed Monster hugged my frantic body. The embrace was cold and the arms of Sadness cut into my skin. I could feel its icy breath down my back, chilling me. Depression enveloped my soul.

Both monsters, Sadness and Hate, were devouring me until all that was left was crumbs.

Then I opened my eyes and got out of bed.