The dry air crackles. His voice rubs away like sandpaper. White light begins to pour into the room as if to rescue me, but I’m a goner already.

His beady eyes hold no shine as words blow through his mouth and hit me squarely. I start to feel small, smaller and alone –even though everyone is there; they all hear him.

I smell the burn as bile builds slowly in my mouth. I swallow. I seethe. I see the challenge hanging there.

And I let it drop to the floor.

Written during Creative Flow with Julie Peters, Maya Whole Health, Renton WA –February 2012

• Janet Muniz is an award-winning professional writer known for informative profile articles, inspiring blog posts and effective video content. To hire her, contact her here.