play, pause, replay

faces we know

I used to lie awake,

frozen by the whispers of ghosts in the walls. 

But it's not the dead that haunts us,

it's the living,

the bastards with pulse and breath that

crawl in daylight, wearing faces we know.

The streets reek of dread, 

its veins clogged with rot.

Footsteps echo like gunshots, 

every corner a trap,

every shadow a predator. 

Fear not death, 

but the warm grip of the living, 

the rusted blades that tear your soul.

Fear of death is a child's nightmare,

a shadow puppet show, harmless haunts. 

But real terror is the warmth,

 the breath on your neck,

the silent, hungry eyes,

the hands that grab, tear, devour.

The slow grind of bone on bone, 

the scream stuck in your throat. 

We fear the grotesque ballet,

the marionette's dance of pain, 

how we get carved up, soul first, body later.

Death is a release, 

a lover's last kiss.

We fear the torment, 

the stripping away of skin, the soul flayed raw, 

exposed to the vultures that circle, waiting for the kill.

Ghosts are gentle, the phantoms of mercy. 

They don't crush your spirit,

they don't tear you apart. 

It's the human specters, 

the ones who touch, who speak, who smile, 

and then devour you whole;

the ones who live to see you break.

I don't fear the end,

but the journey,

each moment a fresh wound,

each step a new horror,

each breath a curse.

I used to think death was the nightmare,  

but it's the waking dream that tortures, 

the endless parade of faces, 

each one a potential executioner. 

The real terror wears a human mask,

whispers sweet poison, and

watches you break, fade into oblivion. 

I lie awake, not fearing the end;  

 I've stared down that abyss.

It's the path there, 

littered with human monsters,

each one a piece of hell, 

each one a taste of death, 

before the final breath. 

* * *

A/N: In light of the recent, devastating case that has left all of us shocked and outraged, I must address the serious concerns it raises. What has transpired is a brutal, unforgivable assault on basic humanity. This isn't a mere oversight or an unfortunate lapse—it's a deliberate, calculated act of cruelty that cannot be condoned.

This incident is an unthinkable atrocity that defies all notions of human decency. The perpetrator has committed acts of such profound cruelty that any semblance of respect for human life and dignity has been shattered. 

The suffering caused is a stark reminder of the darkest aspects of human nature. It is imperative that justice is pursued with relentless determination, ensuring that those accountable are held to the highest standards.

Ignoring someone's 'no' makes you a monster, not a human. Your actions are a savage attack on basic humanity. This cruelty is beyond the pale—enough is enough. STOP NOW.