My eyes open to a blurred vision

And the dreadful feeling of a thousand bricks

Resting on my chest

I find it difficult to catch my breath

If I even remember to breathe

I inhale hesitantly, shakingly, painfully

In and out

In and out

Yes, it hurts

The whole of my body is unresponsive

Numb

Paralyzed

Unable to shake the dreadful feeling

That something…

Something is terribly wrong

As I lie here all alone

A persistent pain grows in my chest

As I try to push against the bricks

But the law of gravity holds me captive

Like flesh to cotton sheets

I can’t move

I can’t move

No matter how hard I try

I can’t

Yes, it hurts

I part my lips to speak

To call out “ HELP”

But it would four letters I never say

Instead, the word sits in my head

Mocking me

But the room is silent

Except that it isn’t

Not in my mind

My eyes suddenly begin to move…

My vision no longer blurred

They shift frantically around my bedroom

In panic

In confusion

I mean I am confused

My eyes shift from left to right

Left to right

Left to right

Left…

Until they’re left frozen

Paralyzed

Like the rest of my body

Numb

Except for the aching pain in my chest

Yes, it hurts

Lost in darkness

Trapped

In this nightmare

As the outline of a stygian figure

A shadowed man

Sits crossed legged

In front of me

On my beige carpeted floor

Hazy like the static of a television

The shadow figure

Peered at me from unseen eyes

Whispering faint words to me

“ I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU’RE SAYING”

Six words I’d never say

Six words floating in my head

Mocking me

But restricted by fear

I choke on them

Instead of coughing them out

I can’t move

I can’t move

Please, someone, hear my screams

In this darkness

My heart pounding...

Weighted down by the pressure of the bricks

Yes, it hurts...