I. Self-Control
The window let light
Fall onto the hospital bed
And the sleeping patient stirred.
* * *
She felt nothing.
She heard nothing.
Only then, seconds later, she felt a drip
And saw in two clear streams
Crimson liquid oozing down her ankle.

Then the rattle
And the realization
As a diamond shaped skull slid away
Dragging its slender scaled chain behind it.

Every ounce of her
Wanted to scream
But the venom was already spreading.
Suddenly, her veins' pulse slowed.