Felicity Bartho

The Old Man and the Bridge

He stirred to consciousness, covered in cold sweat again. Taking a minute to steady his racing heart with deep breaths, he tried to block out the familiar intrusive thoughts. One last breath, in for eight and out for - oh forget it, this never works anyway. He let the last bit of air out in one loud cough and rolled over onto his left side, trying to blink the memory of his dream from his mind. He was wide awake now.