My anxiety leaves me breathless. It fills my chest with flames that burn the oxygen before it reaches my lungs. Every touch meant to show care is another pain on my skin, numbing every inch. Any voice that isn't mine, no even mine, makes my heart feel like it's crushing underneath my mind. what are they saying? What am I saying? What does it mean? As I stare blankly into their eyes. How much time has passed, hours? minutes? days? No seconds it's only been a few seconds since they've realized I'm not listening. I'm focused on the pounding in my chest wondering if anyone else can hear it. Place your hand on my heart I swear you'll feel it. But it's fine you say it's at a normal pace. But that's the problem.. normal pace is too much for me to handle. So I lay my head down to sleep for the fifth time today because my thoughts calm when there isn't anything to decrypt.