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i froze as he stood from his bed, flattening down his hospital gown
he walked over to my iv bag, flicking it a few times
i couldn't breathe
i let my hand slither to the remote as he was distracted
you won't be needing that,
he assured, carefully lifting my hand off of the nurse button
my heart stopped
he slid his hand down my back, pulling me from the pillow
he fluffed it and pushed me gently back down
stay just like that.
he smiled, touching the iv bag again
why
i managed to get out
he clicked his tongue and pouted
oh babygirl..
he whispered out
he pulled the tube from the iv bag
really—
he started
his hand slid to my chin, slithering to my neck
until his palm was flat around my throat
he looked at the tube, slowly crouching next to me
he purses his lips around the tube
it's not you, it's me.
he says with the tube between his teeth
my heart races, tears start stinging my eyes.
my weak arms stay by my side.
move
save yourself
stop this
do something
he inhales and exhales deeply into the tube, clear
beautiful bubbles shoot through the line.
they catch every glint of shine from the humming artificial
overhead lights
i watch him as he looks at me sweetly
he thinks this is a favor
he's enjoying it
