When I asked her name she refused to tell me but only cranked her neck from side to side. As her eyes followed mine I breathed in coolly and out harshly with hopes to blow her away. She hardly reacted except for a small twitch in her jaw that told me enough was enough. I knew she wouldn’t let me leave til she got what she wanted- what belonged to me. I’d sown them shut already. Completely unwilling I was to let her watch me forever. I don’t miss them if that’s what you’re wondering- I remember color very well. I shattered her soon after and haven’t heard from her since. Although, I do wonder if she still waits for me to unthread my eyes and acknowledge her. I won’t. I’ll spoon them before I look in that mirror again.

“Straighten the spine. Tuck the tail bone.” I do as I’m told. The key is to refuse his eyes even though they hold my future squarely against them. No matter how deeply one breathes through the pain there is no other option but to endure- to demonstrate my resilience as fictitious as it may be. I have no thoughts- only prayers. I pray that time itself would all but shatter before me so that I might cease my parroting and please him. Maybe slightly incapacitate him with my sheer talent. “Extension! Drop your shoulders” our eyes reconcile and I solidify. My lips part and I know there is no way back.