If only I could grab myself and hold the wounds together. The wolves watch with piercing eyes. I smell blood and pine trees. Crimson stains the snow. Where am I? What am I doing here? Cold coffee in my cup. I build a shelter and make fire. The computer keyboard keys click and tick. The smell of wood smoke surrounds me. The internet is fast in this place. It’s going to be a long, cold night. I wonder if I’ll sleep. There is silence save for the crackling of campfire wood. The city and the people are beyond that mountain. My cell phone has no service here. But what if Bigfoot comes out of the trees? I wonder if he would rip my head off or sit down by my fire and talk. I’d ask him what planet he was from. The light is fading quickly. I look up at the night sky. I pull out my digital telescope and study the splatter of space. How can I be lonely in a universe of trillions and trillions? How can I be on the planet of hell? I long for a starship and safe passage to another system. One without hate and greed and war and all the hurt humans suffer. Humans hurting other humans. How can you take pride in that? The government is attacking the weakest and most vulnerable. That’s great! I shake my head and chew on twine. Endor calls for a refreshing bath.

By

Aaron Echoes August