innocence robbed

I’m lying on the wet sticky floor.

Blood, I think. But it’s not.

I get up, feeling foolish.

Laughter from the other room feels odd.

It does not belong here.

Or else, I am the odd one out.

I want to leave.

I don’t like the smell here.

I grope for the door in the dark.

It makes it hard to see, but I’m grateful for it.

Everything is the same black in the shadow.

The blood. The mess. The shame.

All the same.

I think I feel the handle.

I push it down and it gives.

I am out.

The sun is too bright and the sound of traffic hurts my ears.

I am free of the dark room, yet I don’t feel freed at all.

Where am I going?

A man is yelling something from across the street.

“Are you lost darling? Let me show you the way.”

I walk on.

He’s laughing.

I don’t like it.

I want him to stop.

I start running, but it seems to get louder.

Please

But it doesn’t end.

Please!

I fall down.

It’s quiet.

Did he hear me?

Did I say it?

It’s like an endless loop in my head.