I hear it.

  The thuds from my walls

  I hear it.

  It awakens me in the middle of the night as my fever runs hot

  A sign of my sickness.

  They thought me mad, but as my blanket ensnares me, I know fully well I am all too sane

  They did not believe me once I said they were coming, the ones who stood long before us

  They laughed at me and called me mad, now, as the thuds evolve into clawing outside my window, a sense of vindication washes over me

  I know it to be sinful, but I cannot help it

  Let me have just one victory before the sky turns that dreadful crimson.

  I beg of you, God.

  Before my body rejects my very own skin, choosing to embrace blood and bone

  Allow just one victory

  As my blood burns me inside out in a tomb of my making

  I hear it.

  It’s quiet, no it’s deafening

  An orchestral choir composed entirely of the scratching and rattling of my window

  A part of me wishes to open the window, natural curiosity I imagine

  But I have no say in the matter

  My body is not mine.

  The mind inside my body is not mine

  I know it to be selfish, but I had hoped to prolong the inevitable

  Enjoying what little true free will I had in my possession

  Though, I assume this was your mercy

  Allowing me to bear witness to the final moment of my own sanity

  I thank you.

  Wolves howl outside my window, accompanied by the sound of children crying

  Or is it just a fox screaming at an uncaring world?

  Before long, the bell strikes midnight

  I hear it, over and over again

  Endlessly it feels like

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  A herald of doom perhaps, a song of torment

  The song plays, reaching my infected soul

  Oh, what great joy!

  Soon the mask on my skin may finally rip away

  What great joy!

  I can finally look upon a congealed crimson sky

  Without my eyes getting in the way

  A sky as bright as the sun itself even in the cold moonlight

  My insides look for an escape

  They sense your arrival

  Could you come soon?

  I can hardly wait for your caring embrace

  That’s when I hear it

  Footsteps that make no sound

  Breaths that require no air

  You have come for me!

  You did not forget me!

  The choir outside my window swells

  Welcoming your arrival I presume

  A beautiful melody befitting a lord such as yourself

  The one in the sky with a million eyes

  I hear you.

  Opening the door you creep in

  I cannot see you with my eyes

  But I know you’re there

  I can feel it.

  Your beauty requires no vision to see

  Would you ever share your oh-so-lovely gift?

  I apologize for uttering your wondrous name in such a vile manner

  If you deem it so, I would pluck my own eyes out to fill your collection

  As my body contorts itself into a form you find more pleasing

  I make only one selfish request

  I beg of you, lord of all that is crimson and bone

  Do not allow me to fade into the night once all has ended

  Allow me to become part of your beautiful choir, forevermore

  I hear It.

  I hear it.

  A sign of my body not being my own

  My fever boils me alive

  A sign of your love

  Please, I beg of you

  Show me mercy.

  Fit my soul within your holy union

  I am your vessel

  Even if I am to turn into a beast, I shall welcome it with open arms

  Oh God, please lend your mercy upon this poor sinner

  I do not wish to die alone or live in agony writhing on the floor

  With only what remains of my flesh to comfort me

  Invite me to your glorious marching band, I will play the drums just how you want me too

  I hear you.

  I can hear you!

  I finally hear you, allowing my heart to flutter like never before!

  I thank you, I can finally see.