One step behind & ahead

One step behind me
I run
heavy breathing
inhalation of polluted air
I fall
not once, but twice
in the mud that seems alive
in coagulated blood
I get up
small rocks made of thorns
wind and twist into the soles
of peeling skin
I cry out
in a strangled voice
that mirrors the animal
breathing desperately inside
I stop
inches before a wall
made of cement
and broken bones
I climb
higher into desperation
heedless of bleeding fingers
and the laughter of the dead
I climb
farther into the ascent to madness
hot stale breath dancing
with the spider like hairs on my neck
I jump
uncertain if I'm falling or flying
grimy hands reach out to stroke my skin
as my feet touch the earth
I crawl
deep into a forest of gnarled trees
birds with human features
squawk and whisper my name
I see him
face a mask of death
only hints at the unseen horror
that squelches and clings
I gasp
my feet moving backwards
like a silent black and white film
a button jammed on rewind
I scream
cracked hands clawing at my face
to tear away the nothingness
and the rusty nails that penetrate
I turn
my heel twisting painfully
his fingernails glance off my skin
and I flail forward
One step ahead of me
I run
heavy breathing
inhalation of polluted air
I fall...