“Cut all ties,” I hear myself. “Get away.” I blink. “As soon as possible.” I close my eyes. “Cut all ties,” the mantra comes back. I shake my head. “What the heck.” I blink again. “Get as far away as possible.” I close my eyes again. “Cut all ties,” the mantra comes back again. And I shake my head. “As soon as possible.” I keep shaking my head, but to no avail. “Get away,” I hear myself. “What the heck.” I keep blinking. “Cut all ties,” the mantra keeps coming back again and again. I keep closing my eyes. “Get away.” And I shake my head for who knows what time.