Car engine.


Freeze.


Keys jingle.


Scramble.


Door hinges creak.


Hover by door.
Listening.


Footsteps pass by.

Step.

Step.

Step.


Hold position.

Hold breath.


Sofa creaks.


Heart pounds.

Count to 10.

Exhale.



Even when I left the space, the house, the room,

the fear.

Even in my own place,
The Fear never left me.


© Amelia Tuson