Shaken Sanity

I laugh hysterically, manically, and nervously tug at the raw skin covering my fingers.

my eyes don’t smile, they look like a cat’s eyes after it spots its prey through the bedroom window.

stunned.

I laugh.

loudly now.

my hands quiver and twitch in an insane rush.

your confusion stares at me like I’m crazy.

don’t call me insane! I snap harshly, aggressively, at your shocked face.

the crazed laughing stops, and my body fidgets in discomfort.

I’m not crazy, you idiot! you are! a voice from beneath yells sternly, absent of control.

the room is dark, but I can see.

the fireplace releases warmth, competing with the frozen air escaping the forbidden world lying beyond the stainless glass door.

projections of fiery light flicker oddly against the perfect white corners of this jail.

I rush around, with absolutely no purpose or direction.

I shake, and beg you to help me as tears run down my neck, wetting the collar of my shirt.

I’m scared.

no.

not scared.

absolutely petrified, because they are back, with pitchforks, knives, or anything they can rip my corrupt heart out with.

they yell, and scream, and the sound drowns me.

Author's Note

This is a piece written by a friend of mine. We were talking about how it often feels to be surrounded by people that you don't understand and who don't understand you. It sounds a bit extreme, but it can feel that way too.