Old Friend

I'm standing in the runway

The taste of freedom melts my mouth

One more step and my journey begins

This... is amazing !

... The sky darkens...

Claws snake up my spine

I freeze mid step

The malicious monster cackles

It has me...

And it knows it 

Cackles crumble to silence

The whispers graze my ears, seduce my brain

It wants me to believe him

Wrothless...

Who are you to attempt happiness?

Happiness is for the brave

You're weak 

Stupid...

No.. It's.. It's not true..

Yes.

I'm.. I'm brave..

You're weak.

Talons sink into my lungs

A serpent's coils strangle my hearts 

Words suffocate my vision

You're nothing

You deserve nothing

Daggered teeth curve into a slow smile

Victory in the dead, bleeding eyes of the beast

Then I remember. 

I know this creature. 

I met him years ago.

After the fifth attack or so,

I named him.

Fear.

I know him.

This is a game to him.

I'll show him how it's played.

No. I deserve happiness. 

I deserve to be free.

I matter.

I. Am. Not. Worthless.

He's scared.

He knows his torment is coming to an end.

I feel it.

I strike it home.

I take the final step aboard the plane.

I take a step toward happiness.

He wails.

Screeches ring through the air as he is demolished.

Then he's gone.

Defeated once again.

Although he lingers.

He always lingers.

But again, I won.

He's taught me strength.

Resilience. 

Courage.

A small grin pulls at my face.

Until next time, old friend.