• "No! Please, not here! Anything but here!" I cried in horror as I pulled myself up and ran desperately to catch the door before it locked. My pulse had begun to race and I struggled to breathe as my cries went unheard. I turned the knob and pounded my fist against the door, not daring to turn and face the darkness that loomed behind me. It made the skin on the back of my neck prickle unpleasantly; the need to escape the room was overwhelming and a strangled cry escaped my mouth.

    "Let me out! You have to let me out!" my eyes stung and my heart began to sink, in its place bringing a terrible feeling of abandonment and fear. What had I done to deserve this punishment? Surely no one would hand this fate over had they a heart. But I should be content to think I alone suffer the worst of torture, freeing another soul from going through my dreadful pain.

    The darkness began to surround me and I clawed at the door, feeling my strength leaving, just like every thing else. My knees gave out from beneath me and I fell to the cold concrete floor, clutching myself and closing my eyes shut tightly. My sobs came out between rattling gasps; I began to tremble uncontrollably and the difficulty of my breathing worsened when my heart did not cease from its racing. If only I could reach the window curtain and pull it aside. The moonlight would relieve the darkness that was seeping through my skin and into my bones.

    Oh, how would it be to be rid of this fear! This loneliness that enclosed my heart with cold, deathly hands. I gasped, sweat rolling down my neck and back, soaking my shirt. I clutched myself tighter, curled into myself, willing for warmth to fight away the ice that had me frozen in this hell. I would not be able to bear this scene much longer: I was too weak, only human after all, and my memories played themselves before me, torturing me.

    Get me out of here! I screamed silently, but I hadn't the breath to yell any longer. I grabbed at my chest, trying to tear out the destruction that settled in my heart; I clawed at my face, my mind, for I could not take the blows that were tearing me to pieces, pieces too small to be put back together. I opened my eyes wide suddenly, glaring lifelessly at the pressing darkness. My nostrils flared, my mouth hung open in a silent scream. I cannot breathe! I was beyond the point of panic. My heart threatened to burst from my chest; it was pounding against my ribs in a painful cadence.

    The darkness moved from my bones into my mind and I felt one last horrifying pang of fear course through me before all my strength escaped me.