three seconds

the adrenaline pumps, pumps, pumps

and your veins fill with something electric

something unnameable

something holy

two seconds

your breath is fast and shallow

your heart is beating a wild taboo

standing in the darkness, the light is coming for you

it's all you will ever need

one second

breath stops, heart stops, everything stops

everything but the expanding of your chest

there's nothing left to do

but step forward

no more seconds

your time is up

your time has just begun