stifling, moist air wrapped around my face
a torrent of waves screamed as it shoved against itself
only to stumble back to where it started
the pasty, rust-covered lighthouse tilted in its place
hideous grey mud mottled the crepitating stairs
an ominous hum seemed to reverberate against the walls and
swim in my ears, crawling into my mind
my legs grow weaker
by the second
i couldn’t stop myself from moving towards the siren’s calls
was i getting shorter or was the tower getting taller?
i reached the top
at least it looked like so
the ground was covered by a calamitous scarlet
a pentagon
candles breathing and
singing, a figure lying still
long broken antlers like trees reaching out for help
empty black beady eyes like a doll’s
long twisted fingers as sharp as knives
a sinewy black body almost as if it was twisted by ink covered hands
a deer skull for a head with pieces missing and nothing inside
i walked closer and closer
my legs felt so much l o n g e r now
i’ve lost control of my feet
it’s thin neck snapped towards my limber figure
it’s eyes unblinking
suddenly it’s on its legs
crawling like a newborn lamb
“teachmeteachmeteachmeteachme”
it chanted
my vision f l i c k e r s
i’m on the edge
a cold unwelcome presence pushed against my back
my grip loosens and
i’m falling
no
i’m flying
i’m free
finally