THE DAY pt.1: Waking

he was a mean guy. hands like stainless steel salad tongs. chemicals pumped through a fleshy vent. a reaction to fear. tightly packed white hair.
-i want to talk like everyone else-
he sweats telegraphically. i tap out a murder. i will be here forever. stranded in this showdown.
back to the action.
he is shaking his finger. fingers. fingers clenched around a fleshy vent. chemicals spill and burn through a glass tabletop. insects wade through puddles of discharge. hands on tightly clenched cheekbones.
a smile fades.
i'm awake.