[Verse 1 – low, measured, almost whispered] I didn’t kill the beast they warned me about I taught it silence, taught it how to bow It learned my breathing, learned my name Now it sleeps inside me, chained by restraint I walk clean lines, I keep my hands still Smile polite, swallow every pill But discipline don’t mean it’s gone It just learned patience, learned right from wrong [Pre-Chorus – tension rising, heartbeat under the beat] You mistake my calm for weakness You confuse my mercy for fear But every chain you hear me carry Is a promise, not a prayer [Chorus – haunting, controlled, heavy impact] I didn’t destroy my demon, I disciplined it It waits, it watches, it learns my limits Every time you test me, the lock still breathes Pray you’re never the one who sets it free I keep it buried, deep and tame But pressure makes the metal scream I didn’t destroy my demon, no I taught it when to wake from sleep [Verse 2 – darker, more direct, confidence building] I’ve been blamed for storms I didn’t start Held the match, never struck the spark I chose silence when I could’ve burned That’s a lesson not everyone learns You hear my name in warning tones Like I’m something best left alone You’re right—but not for what you think It’s not the bite, it’s how I blink [Pre-Chorus 2 – tighter, sharper] Every smile is a locked door Every laugh is a loaded key You keep knocking like you’re curious Curiosity ruins peace [Chorus – fuller instrumentation] I didn’t destroy my demon, I disciplined it It waits, it watches, it memorizes sins Every time you test me, the lock still breathes Pray you’re never the one who sets it free I keep it buried, calm and clean But steel still bends when pushed too deep I didn’t destroy my demon, no I taught it who it’s allowed to be [Bridge – stripped back, almost spoken, chilling] This isn’t anger This is restraint This isn’t rage It’s judgment delayed I don’t snap I decide And when I do I don’t miss twice [Break – beat drops, breath held] You should’ve stopped When I stayed quiet [Final Chorus – powerful, cinematic, inevitable] I didn’t destroy my demon, I disciplined it Put a crown on its head, taught it patience Every time you test me, the lock still breathes Pray you’re never the one who sets it free I don’t warn I don’t plead I don’t bark I release I didn’t destroy my demon I made it loyal To me [Outro – fading, ominous] It waits It watches And now… So do I

The Lock Still Breathes