She fought for breath from the red hands.

Their grip bound to her neck

Her chest anchored

Her heart flooded with fear

Her breathing deeper — synchronizing

Sharing the pulse in those red hands

Black poison pours

Into her mouth — bitter

Clogs in her throat

She prays

Why can’t I breathe

Why is this happening

Just make this end soon

Her head throbbing — clouded

Thoughts block her concentration

She’s numb, silent

She pictures calm, cerulean oceans

Watching the waves unfurl

In and out of shore

Matching her breath,

Flowing smooth

Body frozen, eyes glazed

Sealed — steadying

Her breath, conflicted

She forces the tears

Wanting, embracing them

Drowning in their warmth

Feeling life upon her face

The unfamiliar touch

Pooled, muddy water

Streams of black streaks

Stain her marbled face

Washing away the panic

Steadying her breath — snapped

Out of the moment, released.

She accepted this fate

Reaching for the red hands — dissolved

Into her own — like sand

Sunk in her ocean.

 

 

 

Haley Jones is a 23-year-old living in Chattanooga, TN. Along with being a writer, she is also a musician. Like most everyone, she’s just trying to find where her passions fit best in this world. She just started a blog called Hales Jales, where she writes about food, beauty, life experiences, and much more! She lives for singing, writing, fall weather, her two cats, and driving around aimlessly. She believes that life is an adventure, and it’s short, so you should take advantage of the days you have before they slip through your fingers.

Natalie Chyi is an 18-year-old from Hong Kong who has recently moved to London, where she will be studying law for the next three years. She started photography to capture moments and pretty things/people/light/scenes as she sees them, and that idea is what continues to fuel all of her work. Find more of her work on nataliechyi.com, Facebook, or Tumblr.