muted

the lapse co.

the door reads "exit"
but he is already outside
standing before it
imagining them
watching him
through windows
he cannot see
he looks at his feet
hoping if he stares long enough
the door will be an entrance
when he lifts his head
but he cannot bring himself
to look up yet
he hears faint snickering
and wipes sweat from his forehead
once more
as he starts to step backwards
s l o w l y
he knows
if he turns around
or steps backwards
too quickly
they will realize
he is no match
and the snickers will
become laughter
and his ears will
scream for silence
and his mind will
beg for mercy
and his heart will
hop out of his body
pulsating its last beats
on the ground
where he will
squash it
in his haste
to find
a place to hide
he will
collapse.