Escape Route

My right knee is bleeding out, and she is seeing red.

I am limping towards the car,

Barely keeping up my head.

“No finish line, only the start.”

Tires are screeching in the distance,

And I am not sure that we can make it.

Her lips close as she listens,

Confident yet jaded.

We hit the road in full force –

This is not the time to decelerate.

We heard they expect us up north

And we will not let them celebrate.

No, not today, let me live another night.

Allow me to hold her hand

As the stars embalm us in light

In the middle of the badlands…

I feel like slipping into darkness.

My grey jeans are dripping red.

She is trying her hardest

To put this chase to bed.

I know I must concentrate –

Must keep myself from bleeding out.

We turn, we accelerate.

The nausea turns into doubt.

Why are we passing the gas station?

It is up north from the town.

“Better price, a closer destination.

You either cheat or you drown.”

And her dark eyes grow azure

When she sees my realization.

Another siren turned slasher,

Another lover confused with a perfect stranger.

-JW