She is staring at me.

Hollow eyes, a subdued smile. A knowing expression.

I fidget uncomfortably. How had I gotten here, again?

I squint my eyes and send my thoughts inwards. Nothing is there. It’s emptier than my stomach.

Damn I’m hungry. I bang my head on the wall.

I remember something. Lights, shouting, a stabbing pain. Blackness.

Hunger.

A woman. Staring. Is that concern in her eyes?

I feel exposed.

The woman is not really there. It’s a portrait. The portrait is in a yellow frame. Gold? No, brass. It’s blackening a little.

I move to sit up. Pain. Blackness.

Hunger.

She is staring at me.

Hollow eyes, a subdued smile. A knowing expression.

So close. So far. Separated by infinity, just feet apart.

I am staring.

Hollow eyes, a grimace. A haunted expression.

A brass frame, slightly blackened.

Hunger.

Eternity.