Don't say anything

"Don't say anything!" spoke
the shadow in the doorway.
I was seven years of age.

I lay limp upon the couch,
still recovering from
his grip around my neck.

My first thought was
to never tell my mother.
He would surely kill me
if I dared speak a word.

I'll never forget his eyes,
like some feral animal
as he squeezed my throat

Vision narrowed to a point.
I was certain I was dying.
Just as I was blacking out
his eyes began to clear.

He saw what he was doing,
dropped me like a rag doll
onto that tatty old couch.

"Don't say anything!" spoke
the shadow in the doorway.