Author's note: I typed this down in about two minutes without thinking. It was there and it just wanted out. I did not revise it or anything, I just wrote it down and hit post without reading it through again a second time. It's kind of an experiment that was inspired by a friend.
Not Broken
Counting the lashes.
Four… five…
Pain. Everywhere.
Chains cutting into tender flesh.
Seven… eight…
Rough hands around limp arms. Metal boots on stone. Thrown into a cell. I shout obscenities at them.
They will not break me.
Darkness. Again. Endless.
Hopelessness. Eternally.
Time passes by, unnoticed, painfully aware.
Despair. Panic. Always there. I will resist.
They will not break me.
Counting the steps in the hall.
Twenty-one… twenty-two…
Walls closing in. Closer. Closer. Breathe… just breathe…
Pictures in front of blind eyes. Comforting. First snow in winter. Blossoms on a tree. Beautiful sunsets.
Thirty-eight…. thirty-nine… I can do this.
They will not break me.
Counting the days.
One-hundred eighty-five… one-hundred eighty-six…
Voices in the dark. Tempting. Loving arms around thin shoulders. Soothing promises of deliverance. The warmth of a fire. The smile of a mother.
Longing. So strong. But I will resist.
They will not break me.
Two-hundred ten… two-hundred eleven…
Doubts. Screaming, taunting, teasing. So loud. Too loud.
Broken nails scratching at wood, stone, skin. Pain once more. Welcome.
Hoarse voice mumbling prayers, spitting insults, whimpering pleas.
I have to stay strong.
They will not break me.
Key in a lock. Faint light in a dusty hallway. Metal boots on stone again. Blanket around a cold, scarred back.
I laugh at their faces. I made it through.
You did not break me.