I turn the corner 

My nose twitches

my ears perk up

I taste chemicals in the wind 

I hear a muffled scuff

 

something's off

 

Instinct shrieks at me

"run"

I stifle it 

Years of training smother it 

My heart speeds up 

Can they hear it? 

Can they smell my fear? 

 

I risk a glance ahead 

they glare at me 

analytical eyes are assessing me

they cling to my weaknesses

they remedy my strengths

 

I shiver 

My instinct is throwing something sharp at me

"Don't make eye contact"

I think it might be killing me

 

If they're more scared of me 

than I am of them

than they're pretty damn scared

'cause I'm petrified 

 

"Good human" I wisper

backing away 

"shhh human" 

"sit, stay"