To Turn Back Time

Where Are You?

Coco was falling, again.

She was in that place again. The place where she couldn't see, or hear, or even breathe. She felt her lungs expanding and contracting, but the familiar rush of air was gone. She rubbed her tongue against the roof of her mouth, but there was no feeling. She blinked and squinted, but there was no slight.

There was nothing, just her own mind and her own suffering.

Again.

And there was a familiar burning and prickling sensation coursing through her invisible form. Coco squeezed her eyes shut, or, she thought she did. She clenched her invisible muscles, balling her fists. It was coming, she was ready this time.

"Coco?"

Aisha.

"I know you...didn't like it when I did this last time, but I just need to say something."

Well, there was no way to stop her...no harm in at least listening.

"I...I guess I just wanted to say thank you. You've done so much for me. You didn't have to do this, but you did. I don't deserve this kindness, but you gave it to me. So, thank you. Really. I really...I really appreciate you trying. And, and I'll understand if you just want to hand me to Kalluto when you're done. Just getting to live again, that would be enough for me."

As she spoke, the pain and agony faded away. She listened to the young girl and, for once, and a soft, cool feeling spread through her.

Coco opened her mouth to respond, but she never got the chance.

A violent shock coursed through Coco's body. She jolted upwards, stomach flipping upside down as she turned to the side and heaved. Bile rose in her throat, and out came her dinner and snack, spilling all over the carpeted floor. She choked and coughed, slamming her fist into the floor as she gagged.

A cool hand pressed against her back and another landed on her shoulder. "Deep breaths, get it all out and then we'll get some water into you." Ronia carefully brought Coco into a sitting position as she breathed heavily.

Ronia brushed the hair out of her face and carefully poured a dose of water onto her tongue. Coco grabbed Ronia's wrist and poured the rest of it into her mouth, greedily drinking. Once every drop had gone, she released the other woman and collapsed onto her.

"How...how long was I out?" She puffed.

"A few hours." Ronia replied, pulling her hair back even further to run a wet cloth over her forehead. It felt like a sliver of heaven had been brushed across her face and she sighed in relief.

Coco opened her eyes just a crack and stared at the window. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon. She groaned, but planted her palm on the floor and hefted her body up. The motion made her head spin and her vision blurr. Her stomach jumped again and she slapped a hand over her mouth.

"Whoa, whoa, where–start humming–do you think you're going?"

Coco hummed and the bile slowly settled back down. Once she was sure she could open her mouth without hurling, she replied. "Have to get started?" She half gestured to the bag, "Not much time."

"You just died."

"Thanks, I hadn't noticed." Coco forced one leg up, only to have it crumple beneath her. She sighed, shoulders drooping.

"At least let me help," Ronia shifted to her knees, bracing Coco by gently pressing a hand to her back. "What do you need?"

Coco nodded slowly, pointing toward the black bag. She let herself fall down onto her back once more, eyes squeezed shut. Ronia crawled over, pulling the bag to lay beside Coco. She also snatched the smaller satchel and propped Coco up against it.