He runs,
but cannot hide.
Squeezes his eyes shut
but cannot unsee
What he
has seen.
The image of his mother's face
Flashes
Behind his scrunched eyelids.
Blood trickling...
From the corner
of her mouth
where he
slapped
her.

Fear builds in his heart
It claws
Up
His throat.

The pressure behind his eyes threaten
Tears
To burn down his cheeks.

His heart
Pounds
Against his rib cage
He curls his knees
Up to his chest
To contain his heart
From breaking free.

So small
He ***** up,
trying
trying
To disappear.
Just
praying
praying
That it will end,
Somehow
Someway.
That it will end
Someday