It feels like a dream, only this time it’s not; I can’t will myself awake and sit in the forced silence my four walls ‘scream’ until the nightmare fades no; There is no uncontrollable shaking and cold sweat I can close my eyes and open them a thousand times but nothing changes; The nightmare doesn't just disappear… My sister still sits in the next room crying hysterically As her boyfriend screams “Give me my **** keys Kaela, why can’t you trust me?!” The paper thin walls make it feel as if i’m in the same room as them- Just hiding in the closet or corner watching in on their lovers quarrel But flashbacks of my ex crowd my mind, They’re too prevalent, impossible to ignore Their loud voices dissipate into the background and become as soft as whisper The only noise I can clearly hear is the man in most of my nightmares His hand around my mouth so tight I can taste the salt of his skin His other on my throat so he can play God, determining when I get to breathe It now marks three hours since I've sat in bed just listening to them argue- My arms wrapped tightly around my legs pulling my knees into my chest and hanging my head low The nightmare won’t stop… Because there is no waking up from reality.