To Turn Back Time

Restart

Warmth spread through Coco's body.

It was like someone was pouring a cup of lukewarm water into her veins and it was traveling through her circulatory system. As it spread, it began to grow hotter. It was almost like an individual was slowly turning up the tap as the water moved from comfortably toasty to scaldingly hot as time went on.

Coco tried to squirm, cry out, or even just open her eyes, but nothing happened. The burning just spread all throughout her weak form, congregating at one point on her head. It beat one one particular point on her temple, scratching and clawing at it with unearthly vigor.

Before her closed eyes, she could almost see the red flames climbing across her prone. She could nearly smell smoke permeating the air and hear the wood crackle.

Despite the pain, she was forced to lay inside this pit of fire and suffering, silent. At least she was alone. Left with the pain and the darkness, without so much as a tear to keep her company. She could think and breath in as much peace as the agony would allow.

"Coco."

But why would she be allowed to do that? Of course, there had to be the voice.

"I think you can hear me...I'm just going to assume you can. Uh...so, you died." There was a sharp slap, "Sorry, that was pretty tactless of me. I...I know you must be feeling pretty upset right now, but it will be over soon. I promise." The voice whispered softly as it floated around her. For a brief moment, Coco swore she saw the figure of a young girl floating beside her.

Then, before Coco really realized what was happening, the smoldering feeling vanished. Her body jolted and her eyes flew open, lungs gasping for air like they'd been deprived for weeks. She wheezed, clasping a hand over her chest as her breath came out in short, weak gasps.

"Slow down, try to take deeper breaths. Your lungs aren't, well, used to breathing really anymore."

"Used to–Breathing–?"

"I know, it sounds odd, but, you've probably been out for at least a week by now. The lungs haven't been working during that time."

"Then what–?" Her words dissolved into a fit of violent coughs.

"Just focus on your breathing for now. You can ask questions later."

Coco pressed a hand to her ribs, feeling them move in and out. She closed her eyes, using her other hand to rub her collar bone. After a few moments, she opened her mouth to speak again. "Then what was my body doing for a week?"

"Nothing, well, healing, but not really naturally so I can't quite say that."

"Okay," Coco rasped, reaching up to rub her eyes, "...Great. That makes so much sense."

"Sorry, I'm afraid there's not much...terminology for things like this–"

"Do you have a name?" Coco cut in as she forced herself to sit up, a blanket tumbling from her chest.

"Aisha." The voice murmured softly. "I'm sorry, I should've introduced myself sooner."

"Okay, Aisha, here's the deal. If you're going to stick around, we need to lay down some ground rules." Coco sat up, reaching up to rub her throbbing head. Her hand met a rough, textured fabric. She ran her hand across it, circling all around her head. Her hair stuck out from underneath it, flying in every direction. She shook her head gently, rubbing her eyes. 

"Oh, okay."

"Rule number one: Don't talk unless I talk to you. I mean not a singular, solitary word. If I have any questions, I'll ask."