Adult: Honorable Mention

DOOMED

Gasping for breath

she stares at the task before her.

Anxiety sweeps through her body

as she inhales sharply, letting the air slowly slip from her.

Grasping the rail

her hand tightens until her knuckles glare white.

One foot up,

then down and flex, lifting her up to the next step.

She slides her hand

forward and raises her foot, climbing once more.

Her mind wanders

as her body continues, conquering one step then another.

Is she ready

or will she run back down and flee?

Breathing deeply

she knows she must go forward, and so she continues.

When the weight

on her back is so heavy it nearly kills her, she finds herself at the top.

Panic hits hard

barreling into her chest almost knocking her down.

Stumbling she recovers

and turns herself, facing left.

Breathe in, hold,

breathe out, she begins walking forward.

Only a few paces left

until she reaches her destination.

Haltingly she stretches out her

hand, opening the door and entering, faces her demon.

By: Rachael Dick