Eyes Forward

Head up,
Eyes open.
Watch the road.
But where, she asked, has the road gone?
Straight out from under you, he answered
As he straightened his tie and pursed his lips.
White knuckled
She pressed the brake
Accelerating too quickly
Losing control.
Flash.
Crash.
I told you so.
He snickered
Placing his feet on the dashboard.
There was no control
Only an illusion
A mistake
Of freedom
Of control
Of choice
Of importance.

Now,
Without control,
Taking her hands off the wheel,
She draws in a slow breath
Shaky like a branch in a storm.
She cannot speak.
Cannot articulate
The feeling of losing
The control she thought she had
Over sanity.
Her heart could have
Should have
Stopped.
But it chose to continue
Beating like a berating bomb
Cackling in her chest.
Call for help, he mused.
This is only the beginning.
She crumpled at the shrill sound
Stinging in her ears
Cracking her skull.
Will it ever be the same? She wondered.
Of course not, he answered.
You will never forget, he chortled.
Pay attention.
Use caution.
Eyes forward, Girl.
Don't blink; don't flinch.
You'll miss all the fun.