This Town

by Lindsay Milligan

The fear in this town is obvious. I swear I can feel it leeching on to me, trying to pull me under. I have heard people speak of this town. They say they have feared before and have seen people in fear before, but never has fear been like this.

I smell it, for any smell in this town is to cause fear. I taste it, for it drenches through anything and everything here. I feel it. It is in the air I breathe and that scares me. The fear of this town entered me, became my thoughts, became me the second I entered. This town is beautiful, but in all its beauty there is more to fear. Things in this town are built to inflict fear.

I find myself walking with no direction. I no longer know, nor care where I am, or where I may be going. I cant seem to find anything not to fear. The decisions I make I judge by what I fear most and what I fear least.

Here, where my feet have taken me, the choice ahead is one between life and what lies beyond. Suicides are common in this town for death it is what people fear least. Death is dependable it is sure and forever.

I do wonder, as I stand here, the choice before me, have I lived: have I not been born dead in this town of fear? Having said that I make my choice. I leap into it sure of myself, strong and proud, my whole self.


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Last Updated: 9/2/95