Alone

I saw them, all of them.

I knew them.

I thought they knew me.

They were backing away. At about 2 meters, they turned their backs.

All of them.

They did not speak.

I asked them questions.

Why are you not hearing me?

What is going on?

They stepped farther away, into the dark.

I couldn't see anything.

I couldn't see anyone.

I didn't hear anyone.

Not a step, not a whisper of fabric.

I was alone.

The longer it lasted the more I was sure of it.

Suddenly I was in a city, bright, loud, concrete and glass.

I couldn't find anyone.

I looked.

I ran.

I got lost.

Then I was in the suburbs. Houses, trees, cul-de-sacs.

I knocked and knocked and screamed and kicked.

No one.

Not one single soul.

Then I was in the fields, valleys, hills, wind.

It didn't matter where.

It didn't matter who.

There was only me.

I was tired, defeated.

I could sleep, eat, swim naked.

No one would see me, no care.

Was it freedom?

No.

It was a prison, locked inside myself.

I had no motivation.

I was lonely.

I stopped caring.

I forgot who I was.