Bloodlust Protocol

Hold the line.
Almost didn't.
Hold the line.
Almost didn't.
Hold the line.
Almost didn't.
ALMOST DIDN'T.
Calm got thin.
Jaw went tight.
Something old
stood up inside.
Blood got loud.
Vision cut.
Line went red
where the door slammed shut.
I know that pull.
I know that hymn.
Monster outside
wants monster within.
Hands stayed low.
But the thought got near.
What if I become
what I hunt here.
Hold the line.
Almost didn't.
Hold the line.
Almost didn't.
Rage got in.
Calm went missing.
Hold the line.
Almost didn't.
Let me off leash.
Let me go black.
Let me put teeth
in the whole damn track.
Let me turn cold
past human shape.
Let me make fear
learn my face.
Let me make masks
hit wet ground.
Let me make kings
stop looking down.
Let me put truth
through a clean white cuff.
Let me show power
what pain does.
No.
No.
Hold.
Breathe.
Root.
Grip.
Truth.
Rage is fuel.
Not a king.
Line comes first.
Tether sings.
Who wants blood.
Who knows cost.
Who holds line.
Who almost lost.
Tick.
Step.
Clamp.
Jaw.
Breathe.
Count.
Name.
Law.
Tongue split sharp
on the broken edge.
Copper flood
when I ride that ledge.
Knife in my knee.
Flak rash hot.
Body says go.
Code says not.
HOLD.
I could paint
the whole room red.
I could feed
the voice in my head.
I could turn
the night to meat.
I could make fear
crawl on teeth.
But then I lose.
Then they win.
Then the monster
gets my skin.
Then the clean suits
point and grin.
Say,
told you so,
he was always him.
No.
I am not theirs.
I am not loose.
I am not rage.
I am the use.
Weaponized calm.
Iron will.
Hands stay clean
until they must kill.
Hold the line.
Almost didn't.
Hold the line.
Almost didn't.
Rage got in.
Calm went missing.
Hold the line.
Almost didn't.
Hold the line.
Almost didn't.
Hold the line.
Almost didn't.
Monster knocked.
I didn't let it.
Hold the line.
Almost didn't.
What if I turn
into what I hunt.
Hold the line.
Almost didn't.
One life.
No respawn.
Still here.
Still holding.