Backseat Driver

[Tone: Dark, cinematic, NF-style dialogue

Theme: Fear pretending to “protect” you while controlling you]

Hey…

Relax.

I got this.

Just sit back.

Hands on the wheel but I don’t feel control

Road looks familiar but I’m lost on the road

Every turn feels wrong, every sign says “slow”

Future coming fast, got my foot on the brake though

I got dreams in the trunk, doubts in the seat

Fear leaning forward like he’s talking to me

Says, “Remember last time? Remember that pain?”

I nod my head ‘cause yeah, I remember everything

He says he’s here to keep me safe

But every word just feeds the cage

Fear in the backseat, hand on my shoulder

Telling me lies but they sound like closure

“Don’t move yet, don’t try, don’t commit

What if you crash? What if this is it?”

Fear in the backseat, calling the plays

Using my past just to ruin my faith

I wanna drive but he grips too tight

Says “Let me steer, I’ll get you through the night”

Look, I’ve seen what happens when you hope too much

When you give your heart and it blows right up

Remember the breakup? Remember the shame?

Remember praying and still feeling pain?

I’m not your enemy, I’m your proof

Every bad ending started with truth

You say marriage, house, kids, forever

I say pressure, collapse, “you’re not ready”

I hate how you talk like you know me

Hate how your voice sounds like “old me”

You use my grandma, my guilt, my regret

Every “what if” I haven’t forgiven yet

You say “wait,” but you never say when

You say “protect,” but I’m trapped again

I’m tired of living life stuck on pause

Calling it patience when it’s really fear’s laws

Every mile I let you drive

I feel more numb, less alive

Pull over.

Now.

Fear in the backseat, get out the car

You don’t get to tell me who you are

I know I’m scared, I know I’m flawed

But you don’t get the steering wheel or God

Fear in the backseat, exit right

I’ll take the risk, I’ll take the fight

If I crash, at least it’s me

I’d rather fail than never be free

Hands shaking…

But they’re mine.