True Story

She whispered "someone's in the house".

In one swift motion 

I went from supine on the bed, 

to gliding silently to the end of the hall. 

I took my family and wrapped them, 

bound tight and comfortable and quiet, 

and tossed them to myself 

already waiting at the bottom of the steps. 

I tucked them safely amongst the warm blankets of dust 

and hidden treasures, untouched. 

I ascended to protect all that I've accumulated 

and with no fear

I turn the corner 

The whispering shadows are still here. 

I honestly would've given them what they're looking for

if they'd just ask nice.

I still might 

but the primal urge to fight 

and save these that are mine is just too much.

 
So I break the quiet with a guttural HEY!

As heavy as a rock 

and as devastating as that stone being dropped

into the glassy stillness of a lake at dawn.

The silence is shattered.

And I hear the thud of their hearts hitting the floor.

I can count to a thousand 

by the time they re-center themselves
and try to figure out how to react. 

I'm two steps away and my hand is aglow.

Like a lantern

my face is illuminated

by the biggest fist I've ever held in my life.

Their demise is inevitable at this point.

I flip on the lights and apologize to my parents for yelling at them.