Day 149

You felt it, right.

The first moment your child was approached by another one.

You watch from a distance and let it play out, because you know that children need to learn to interact with others.

You know this. You are aware.

And yet, you feel a chemical release inside your brain. 

It tastes like iron. Time slows down as neurons fire, lighting up the dark parts of your brain.

Those parts you don't like to think about, but nonetheless: they're there.

Nostrils flare, ears perk and eyes dilate. Your body is readying itself, taking cues from a billion year old tradition passed down from the first ape to hold a jagged rock and wrap it with ill intent.

You are aware. You know all of this.

But should that strange child do anything to harm yours, you know that your body is fully prepared to spring forward, grab them by the scruff and eat them.

You know this, right? You're aware of your inner beast?

. . . Oh! You don't?

Well.

Ask me again if I want to have kids.