Sweet Hysteria
I sat there waiting; the days eventually passed and conformed into one insufferable blur. The walls closed in, day by day, inch by inch. My mental anguish bled outward, contaminating my physical surroundings. I felt imprisoned in my own body, and the feeling disseminated like a brushfire.
Instantaneously, I was enraged, my palms began to stiffen, clenching into an unyielding ball of vehement force. I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I didn’t even know what I was suppressing for so long, but when it came out, chills were sent vigorously down my spine. I yelled; screaming, and extending my limbs to their utmost potential, bursting with a rabid and intoxicating sensation. Boatloads of water were released from my eyes, draining forcefully onto my once polished pink gown.
As my tears caught the fabric on my pink gown, a deep vermillion became exposed. In a flash, I was on fire. My tears became gasoline, only igniting the flames even more. It was electrifying. At that moment, I realized that I had tapped into something utterly unforeseen. The freedom that overcame my body made me feel indestructible. I pounded my fist into the delicate sky blue butterfly wallpaper and began to rip it to shreds. I felt nothing but intoxicating power. Glass covered my floor, and before I knew it, my room was destroyed, and my hands were besmeared in red. My once beautiful prison cell was now reminiscent of sheer demolition. Looking at what I had done, I began to laugh. Pure relief pulsed through my body like the warm rays of sun on a summer day.
Suddenly my parents were banging on my door, screaming in terror. Paralyzed, I stood in front of my shattered mirror. I didn’t recognize who I saw, but somehow that gave me solace. My parents broke through, and in their hands, I collapsed. My body lay lifeless, and together we sobbed.
Strike Out,
Concept: Skye Fox, Abigail Thielen, Hope Joffray
Writer: Skye Fox
Editor: Lexi Fernandez
Models: Elissa Day, Isabel Choi, Kisa Li
Photographer: Olivia Rodriguez
Videographer: Kevin Farley
Beauty: Abby Wright, Rebecca Short, Emmali O’Neil
Digital Onsite: Lily Fox
Tallahassee