My perception failed me upon its prerogative. It could not see me, yet its wires walked across the floor right to my feet.

I suppose I had been here for a while. Not because I couldn't leave, but it was only a matter of time before someone else joined me.

I did not mind it at first. I stood there unmoving. They were cute in a way. I knew I could free myself. I grew cozy in its embrace. All it took was one step.

It walked its way up my leg like it knew me. I allowed the advance. It was just ivy.

Soon I felt the vine on my chest, the leaves cast a shadow and chills came over my body, yet my arms were still free. I could rip off the vines, but when I tried to step, my feet didn't.

It tickled when they touched my armpit. The ivy joined its other half on my shoulder, tangling and wrapping endlessly, going down and up and braiding into itself. I never knew vines grew down.

When it reached my hands, my back relaxed, my spine decompressed. The vines were holding me. Yet I could still see. I could still yell for help if need be.

We had grown together, me and the vine. The vine. Me. Always growing, always seeking more, climbing to the light of the sun.

My jaw relaxed. No longer did I need to hold it open. The ivy helped me. I had the vines here for me.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw green, dark green, gray, and then black.

I tried to move, to shake, to squirm, but it was futile. Then came a feeling, distant at first, then it grew into fear so immense I felt all throughout my very soul.

There were no screams. There was no time. The vines took over.

And then there was nothing.

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