Vertebrae by Vertebrae

The other night I had an awful nightmare I had my throat slit by a random attacker. It was one of those nightmares where you wake up one minute before your alarm goes off, so I never got a chance to process the dream because I had to get ready for work, but I’ve been ruminating on that dream for a bit.

Prior to the nightmare, I saw the film Holy Spider, which is loosely based off a true story of the Spider Killer in Iran who killed sex workers because he thought he was doing the Lord’s work. He would strangle these workers with the hijabs they were wearing.

Necks are an interesting body part. They’re strong enough to hold up a human skull, yet vulnerable enough to be effectively killed either through strangulation or cutting the carotid artery. It’s tough, yet delicate. A dichotomy, really.

To feel someone’s lips on your neck, their breath, can be one of the most erotic feelings in the world if done right. It can handle a love bite but a hickey can still form to make it look as if physical violence was taken out on you. There’s a certain amount of trust you have to have to allow someone get that close with a body part that serves a vital purpose. You trust they won’t take that vulnerability and hurt you with it.