#044 Inside/Outside

The longer I ignore it the worse it gets; rising discomfort consumes me whole. Howling at the moon and clawing at my chest, it tears its way through my soul.

I slam my fists against the door, knuckles not bleeding anymore. The voices say I’ll be another shut-in gone too soon, their comments are worse than scraping my face on cracked cement. I hide my pain in deep maroon; I will break before I bend.

The door is unlocked, I can show what I’m about but they whisper: “Well, well, look who’s inside again,” and I’m afraid to come out.