Work Text:
Let’s get one thing straight. Either there is poison in this cup, or there isn’t. Break it down for me.
- Poison: A substance that causes harm when in contact with the body. There are a few different ways this can happen. Usually, it is inhaled, or injected, or ingested. Let’s say this time it’s cyanide. Ingested, fatal. Last time it was arsenic. Ingested, fatal. Time before last, it was rat poison. Ingested, fatal.
Great work. Either there is cyanide in this cup, which you will drink and die, or there isn’t.
- Symptoms of cyanide poisoning: Dizziness. Headache. Nausea. Rapid breathing. Rapid heartbeat. Restlessness. Weakness.
- Symptoms of panic attacks: Dizziness. Headache. Nausea. Rapid breathing. Rapid heartbeat. Restlessness. Weakness.
Yikes. Hey, where are you going? Sit back down, you haven’t done enough deliberating. You got yourself into this mess, it’s not my fault.
That’s more like it. What? Landmines? Who said anything about landmines ? You’re crazy. You’re really crazy. Stop talking about landmines. Here, I’ll pull up the definition for you.
- Landmine: An explosive charge hidden on or under the ground, which detonates upon pressure to the device. The damage comes from the direct blast, from shrapnel created by the blast, or from both. It remains dangerous even after the conflict is over, until it has been defused.
See? No landmines. The only one here is you. Let’s move on.
So this poison, right? This may-or-may-not-exist poison? You put that thought in your own head, I only echoed it. Maybe you’re lying to yourself? Sorry, sorry, that’s mean. I’ll let you figure it out on your own.
Hello, good morning, sky’s a-shinin’! Keep your fingers pinched at your fuse and keep it from burning. Did you drink from the cup?
Forget all about the poison, the next big thing is razorwire! They’re out to get you, y’know. I am too; I’ve got a roll of the stuff. You had to have guessed by now, don’t look so surprised.
It’s your turn to spin this in your favour. Something’s always turning there, it’d be stupid to call you stagnant. You’re an escaped electrical spark. Does that make sense? Hey! Hey, I’m complimenting you, quit it with the garrote!
You stand in the doorway waiting for something remarkable to happen. You stand in the field waiting for something to shatter your clavicle. Can it still be considered anxiety when they really are watching you? Is it truly paranoia when the falling bombs are real? That’s of very little consequence when both roads lead to you studying the dirt like it’ll eat you. Is that irrational when it has eaten you before?
Let’s play a game. Here’s a definition, you tell me if it applies.
- Trapping: The act of using a device or mechanism to catch and hold prey until retrieval. Can be nonlethal or lethal. Are you prey, or are you hunter? Don’t answer, it doesn’t matter, you’re caught anyways. See: rabbit snare; mantrap (snare).
You’ve walked into and out of so many, it’s hard to keep track these days. What about this one? This one right here? No, not over there, I mean right here.
Flip a coin. Heads, it’s deadly. Tails, it’s lacklustre.
What trap? The one you’re in, of course. It applies, doesn’t it? Even if your foot never found the steel jaws, it still applies. Spent all this time chasing shadows you didn’t know were hoaxes.
The cyanide was real. Let’s at least get that straight.