Untitled

Justus Reighard

I often think of the most embarrassing things I’ve ever done. Things that nobody remembers but they
haunt me. They mock me from the dark. I know I’m not the only one. I see the shadowy figure in the corner
telling me about that one time I said something super cringe and it hurts. I look closer and I realize that that
figure is actually life itself. Standing there with a big grin on his face. He’s behind bars right now and explaining
something to me. I’m too young to understand but he’s telling me it’s alright he’s there to help. As I get older he
hurts me and tells me it’s to help me. One day he will get out of that cage and I need to be prepared for him. In
the corner I see a digital clock. He points and tells me I have a time limit. He teaches me and I learn to deal
with the pain in order to learn. As if he’s on fire and the closer I get the more I learn but the pain grows also. He
wants me to get closer. He tells me I will learn more but I think he just wants to hurt me more. People tell me
I’m not not ready for him and I think they're right. His fire grows more intense every day but I have almost
grown immune. He has taken my fun, love, and family way from me and I can’t do anything. I have no water
and the room grows smaller on me. It brings him closer and he grows feeding on my lack of work. He watches
me from afar and I see him every day yet I do nothing to quench him. He pushed me down and I cannot win.
It’s a wonder I haven’t gotten back up. He’s just so strong. If I end it all, what happens. If I end it all that means
he had beaten me. He has me in check but it’s not check mate. I still have some time. The clock slowly gets
closer to 00:00. In the time I have left I will learn all I can. But will it be enough? Will I get my arsenal together
in time? I am all alone but can I find someone in the mist? I watch the clock mesmerized by its power over my
life.
5...
4...
3...
2...
1...
He’s coming