At the dawn of midnight.

I lay awake in my bed.

My heartbeat pounds in my chest.

Not again!

I have to stay calm.

I close my eyes.

I must think of something.

All I see is that black void.

Will this next breath be my last?

Sweat covers my body.

Will I see morning again?

I try to stare at the ceiling.

What if I die?

My muscles shake.

I will die one day!

My heart beats faster!

This I can't deny!

Will my heart explode?

My eyes deeply embrace the darkness.

Is this what it's like to die?

If I sleep...

...Will I die?

Heartbeats.

Will anyone care?

Heartbeats.

NO!

I can't stand it anymore!

I leap out of my bed and tear down the hall.

My heart never stops.

I bound through the door and onto the damp porch.

My heart never stops.

I want to go to sleep!

I don't want to be afraid!

Is ANYONE there?

I cry.

Alone.

The world is silent in response.

Yet my heart still beats loudly.

Clouds continue to roll,

Revealing a fraction of the moon that stares at me.

A breeze chills the stifling air.

A voice whispers.

I am there.

Another breeze brings a slower breath.

Who is there?

An owl HOOT-HOOOOOOOOs in reply.

Only my heartbeats.

My heart is now a drum.

I

AM

A strong rhythm.

I

AM

An enigma.

I

AM

Where?

My body aches for sleep.

WHERE?

A tear falls down my cheek.

The world lays silent once more.

My heart beats.

Another night wind blows through my hair.

Each strand flowing through every wisp.

A rush of heat within my chest.

My heart beats.

HERE.

Breathing in...

My heart beats.

Breathing out...

My soul weeps.

A gentle pull within my chest.

It is a... knocking.

My body shivers from the drizzly cold.

Yes... a knocking in my soul.

you are empty,
let me fill you...

A staggered breath.

you are tired,
let me hold you...

NO!

I don't know you!

you are lonely
but I know you...

NO! NO!

I don't want you!

A drop on my forehead!

Then another on my cheek!

Rain begins to fall.

A strong wind howls through the trees.

One more gentle pull.

you were worth it,
and I love you...

Should I open up my door?

The rain washes the porch.

My heart still beats more.

I

AM

I

AM

What are you?!

I

AM

love...

The cloudburst ends.

Why do you love me?

The moon reveals its brilliant countenance again.

More heartbeats.

SIM-PLE

I just

do...

I don't understand!

More heartbeats.

BE-CAUSE

I made

you...

More heartbeats.

BUT-

Do you

Love me

too?

I need time to think!

THAT

I have

gi-ven

to you.

I want to be sure...

THEN

I will

wait

for you,

my most

precious

one.