It isn't as much of a screeching sound, but it does feel like one. More accurately it is a high-pitched whistle, that gets intensively louder the more attention you pay to it. Constantly afraid, that the more attention you give it, with more strength it drills to manifest itself from your ear into your brain. A spiked trail of bleeding, piercing through, regardless if it's real or not. The second fear is that it is there. Always. We just don't notice it. Living by our sides like a cold winter breath, occasionally raising its shrill voice to be heard. As in increasingly banging on a door. As in increasingly banging on our eardrums. Although screeching over a blackboard like a student's first try with chalk feels like a more appropriate description. Would it be worse to get rid of it or would it be a mistake to listen to its cries of help? Both options are equal and hard to think about. Especially when there is a constant ringing reminder to switch off an in-existent kettle of tea.

If they are talking, we must ignore it at all costs. Even if it means losing an ear or two