I dreampt about you last night.

Maybe it was that old feeling of scorching disappointment in someone I held close to my heart.

Maybe it was the familiar feeling of being on the phone with someone whom you have nothing to say.

Maybe it was the sound of someone else's regrets about what they did with their clothes off.

...or not. I wouldn't know, I wasn't there. I almost was, but "best friends" have a sort of sixth sense.

You could do better.

Check, pulse. Pulse. Pulse. 1,2,3...

Out the door.

Steady now.

An Overreaction?

Slow down.

The panic races ahead of the bile.

Calm it, stay calm.

My heartbeat makes holding back absurd.

Stop.

(Hello, old fear.

No, I didn't think I'd make it this far.

How did you get ahead of me?

I lost track of you in the dark.)

(Yes, I see you found my newest victim

He makes you disappear at night,

But you are mistaken if you think

I'll let you touch a hint of his mind.)

I need to keep him close.

Then make a fast getaway

Push him off balance,

And come back the same day.

I feel it rising with every blank stare

(Could this be happening again?)

I can't let it strangle us, together.

(I'll fight it until the very end.)