The scales sheen with gold and silver, gasping for air as it fights to live out of water. Pure terror, desperation, instinctual spasms of survival.

Satisfaction rolls over him, this is what it’s all about. Laid out on the bank, he takes a photo for proof. Caught and captured.

Hours of nibbles and quivers went by peacefully, yet poised. Now his day is done.

His eye twitched, almost imperceptibly. It hadn’t occurred to me that he could’ve been telling us complete fiction this whole time. The confidence in his voice didn’t waver, but I knew we were seeing through a crack in the character.

His foot moved slightly.

I slowly turned to check the tally light – red and rolling. This could bring it all down.

Keep him talking to keep him from leaving. Keep his narcissism fuelled and aflame.

Zero light, a place of true peace. At first, at least.

A blindfold over my eyes, and secondly, mental tentacles reaching into the black.

Ebb and flow of thought forms. Emotions floating. Bubbles encircling entire lives, living and to be lived into infinity. Pregnant with possibility, each orb just a choice away.

Every yes takes infinity minus 1 nos. Or is it? That is the beauty of mind.

Sure, we accept, but is that really yes?

On some level, maybe.

I had intense acid reflux after we spoke. I knew this meant we weren’t over it, at least I wasn’t. Rarely are the vital conversations one-and-done, you have to force yourself to bring it up again later, and try and see it as a growth thing. And I guess it is. But I’m still left with a sense of fracture. Maybe I don’t need this old “friend” in my life any more. Or maybe I just need to keep going.

I woke up startled. Today is the first day of the project. Today will be all about slushing up the posters.

I settle back into relaxation.

This is what I’m here for. I must remember the big picture. I can’t go back now. I must keep burning the bridges within.

I used to be a pacifist, but I woke up, startled.

Light waves lapping at my feet.

I look out into the blue with unrest. Life is absolutely gorgeous, gazing into the cerulean void, but the sense of our descent won’t shake.

Power structures the world over. Our heritage of abuse projects into the future, not only without end, but without lift.

I can’t stand it, to just enjoy the deep beauty of early twilight by the sea. I can’t stand forgetting.