Kendall Forbes

It’s so loud. Can everyone hear it?
Thump. Thump.
If they can’t hear it, at they will see it. Surely.
Thump. Thump.
Every heartbeat like a hiccup as it attempts to force itself out; desperately trying to move past her ribs.
Thump. Thump.
This is the moment. No turning back. She takes a step towards the stage.
Thump.
A thousand tiny pins stab through her chest, directly into her heart. From the outside it looks like someone simply pressed pause, her body freezing mid-step.
Inside, the tiny pins continue to prick at her heart, while more travel in pods, firing down her arm, tearing up nerves, ripping apart anything they touch.
She tries to move forward, manages a couple of steps before dropping to her knees.
She can feel the vibrations of shoes against wood as people rush to her aid, but the pins are spreading throughout her body, shutting off sound, and now, sight.
The pain is burning. Her heart feels like it is being torn apart. The nerves of her arm are going through a shredder.
She can barely feel the touch of helpers as they lie her onto the cool floor and roll her onto her side.
Everything goes black.