I'm laying in this bed, the bright white halogen lamps shining down on me, blinding me. I want to sit up but I know I can't. I know I'm unable to. I hear your voice, and it is pleasing to hear, but then I turn to you and you are frowning. I know what you're thinking. I know you're disappointed. I gave in again didn't I. I knew I wouldn't last long. Ah, your stare is so cold to me. This pain burns more than anything they could ever put in my veins. And meaningful lyrics sing in my ear from the little headphones that I remember.

"I thought being strong meant never losing your self-control"

I laugh a little, and I sense how much that pinpricked your soul, how much that little chuckle just hurt you. You think I'm laughing because I tried and I failed. I suppose I'm laughing because I think I succeeded. I'm already dead, no matter what the machines say. And I feel you take my hand, palm down, because you know what's on the other side. The dotted inked line…

> -- > -- > -- > -- > -- > -- >

Cut here…

Wherever I draw is wherever I cut and whatever I cut is whatever I feel.

So many words.

Curses.

Hatred.

Death.

Bleed.

And one more…

And then I wake up. Crying again. And I am in that same room but... I am beside the bed, looking at you laying there... with disappointed eyes... Ah, your stare is so cold to me...

And I take your hand from the bedside, palm side up, and read the words written in ink:

"Love keeps me strong..."