for an entire day, i couldn't breathe. the night before, i had subsequently went to bed at 10, attempted falling asleep at 11, fell asleep at 12, woke at 1, and stayed awake. there was so much anxiety, so much curiosity and an infinity of questions to be answered. and every second was a fish out of water, gasping desperately for air with a pinch in my chest. i buried it, or tried to, and carried on. but the distress was worthless, useless. it didn't stop the inevitable. but that's okay, because when the inevitable rounded with its scythe held high in claws, it cut through the razor thread wound tight around my breaths. after all, the ending is easier than the lead-up. i can breathe again, take full-bodied fresh air into my body.