I hold my breath in darkness

Crack
Tick.  Tick.  Tick.

And let it go.
He must have come a long way

Tick. Tick. Tick.
Click.

He must have sensed
The only warmth laid out for him

Creeeak
Tick... Tick...

Acrid loss hangs low in the air
Damp claws ***** my toes

Inhale

And he drinks
Come to redeem blood lost

Silence
Tick. Tick. Tick.
Creeeak
Click.

My foot runs over the aging scabs

Exhale

I sink back into slumber