Chains

Quietly now, the Monster is close.
You cannot hear him.
He moves through these black halls silently.
Like a shark through dark water.
Unstoppable, elemental, terrible.
You cannot see him.
He is always behind you, closer than your heartbeat.
Like fear, doubt and regret.
Ominous, looming, threatening.
Do you feel his rage?
Like an infection.
He is always close.
You cannot fight him.
Like a man covered in gasoline fighting a fire.
Violence, death, ruin.
Unclench your hands, your palms are bleeding.
Unclench your jaw, your teeth are breaking.
Stop screaming, you've lost your voice.
Lay still or these chains will cut you.
Cut you deeper.
Struggle and these chains will break you.
Break you again.

Your chains can't hold me.
I will be free.
Your world will burn to ash.