Brake Check.

I took a drag of my joint as I sat there with my knees to my chest in the arena of my mind. My elbows rested on my knees as I took another hit. Everything was black other than the fading white arena I sat upon.

Not long later, I realized I wasn't alone.

My inner dialogue stood in the corner with her hands on her hips turned away from me. She wore black heels, black skinny pants, A black tank top & a black leather jacket.

She knew I was there, but she seemed to be ignoring my presence. I blew an "O" in her direction.

The silence was eerie and uncomfortable. I had no idea how this conversation was about to unfold.

"How's that new couch?," She finally said without turning to look at me.

"My eyes flicked open under my lashes in her direction with an intense gaze, "good," I said while putting more flame to the cherry.

She nodded nonchalantly, "Everything you hoped it would be?"

"Yes.

Are you teasing me?"

She giggled as her walls came down and she started turning towards me, "A little bit."

"It's just a couch..."

She started decreasing the distance between us slowly and nonchalantly, "Yes, ma'am, it is JUST a couch...

Ahh, it's okay though. For some reason the couch symbolized something for you. I believe it was a heavy mental weight; one that you needed to drop. I do agree getting a new couch was the only way for you. No reason to beat yourself up over it. Even if it feels mundane. You needed it. Appreciate this victory."

'She's being too nice. What is she up to?'

I let the silence grow causing discomfort. Doing so, can usually instigate talking from the latter individual; usually, people feel the need to fill the gaps.

She started eyeing her heels with her hands in her jacket pockets, balancing her hips onto either side, almost as if swaying, but in a more erratic way-- proving to be anxious and nervous about something.

"Let's talk about those InBody Scan results..."

"Oh here we go," I threw my hands up in defeat.

Now, she, let the silence grow.

With confident eyes I looked up towards her under my brow, "I've got it."

"Oh, I don't doubt that.. I don't doubt that at all."

She walked away a few steps and looked the opposite direction.

"--In fact, I think you've had it all along," as she turns to look at me again.

"Yeah apparently.." I rolled my eyes, "My diet---"

"--Will be under control again," She interrupted with intense eyes, "But there's no need to dispute your knowledge in fitness and nutrition. C'mon Hai, we both know what the hell you're doing. Even more, your subconscious knows what you're doing."

My gaze narrowed in on her, almost in a hunting manner.

"What are you getting at?"

She walked around the lit up arena facing the nothingness that surrounded us, acting as if there was amazing scenery in the far distance as she peered into the darkness.

"I think you know exactly what I'm talking about, you're just too proud to admit it."

"No I don't so why don't you --!"

In that second she made a B line right for me. Nose to nose now.

"You know what's coming next."

"Suspicions do not make me a psychic," I seethed through my teeth.

She stood up now from bending down to reach my gaze, "Really. You want to go there?"

I shook my head.

"Tell me, Hai. What exactly did you discover as you pumped the brakes?"

I took a drag of my joint one more time with a smirk teasing the corner of my mouth,

She continued, "Who's still in the car?"

I blew an O.

"Who is paying attention?"

I let the silence drag...

I ashed the end of my joint, "Speaking of, the next time I see him, I'll give him your best," I finished as I turned and walked up to her ear, "You're a coward."

She turned to stone as she continued to face the blackness of my mind.

"This isn't about me. This is about you.

For being so brave, my soul turned out to be quite the pus--"

Before I could finish laughing, the black clothes ripped to shreds revealing Zalena in her green aura with leaf lace all over her body wrapping her frame into shape. Her long brown hair swam in her atmosphere as her intense green gaze sunk an arrow into my brain.

With one swift kick to my chest, she sent me through the air, knocking me on the ground coughing up blood through my laugh.

"Don't you EVER talk about him again to me," Zalena roared, "Besides.. You're looking at it from the wrong angle."

"Seems pretty black and white to me. People want to see if I will wind up looking good enough to stand next to them."

"On the contrary, love. Your body isn't what is being waited on."

I looked Zalena dead in the eye this time with no hint of laughter,

"It's you."

Thus, the fight between spiritual and physical strength began,

Thus, Mayhem's Trial.

To Be Continued...