Hallucinations (rewriting post-physical publication)

Chapter 21 - (Part 1) - Kathy's P.O.V.

At around 10:00 AM, I am showered with all of the birthday gifts.

I am presented with candy, golden and white balloons, and presents!

Nini keeps giving me these odd looks, like she wants to tell me something, but I just ignore it. This is my day, not hers.

Nina hands me a tiny pink box. And inside is a gorgeous silver charm bracelet.

I shower her and my family with countless "thank you's" and slip the charm bracelet onto my left wrist, admiring it in the reflective, bright yellow ceiling lights. 

(Part 2) 

It's snowing outside.

It's 11:00 AM.

I'm becoming more and more worried about Nina as she keeps giving the hospital room door glances over her shoulder, like something or someone will barge through any second.

Then I smell something off in the air.

Something like sweat, grief, graveyards, and dead roses.

I hear loud thuds.

Like footsteps.

That are wailing.

I see Nina jerk her head to the spot right beside my bed.

I can't stand to ignore these signs anymore.

I turn my head and see my worst fear.

I look at Nina, and ask her; "Who's that?"

Everything is silent.

That's when I hear the sounds of screaming.

Oh no.

Wait.

No.

No.

That's me. 

(Part 3)

Death's clammy face is in my face.

He's holding a scythe and a sickle.

I snap my head back around to look at Nina, my eyes brimming with tears. Because I know. I know the signs now.

This is not just a hallucination.

This is real.

Nina launches herself out of her chair, and then freezes.

From the depths within this room, a groan echoes off of the walls.

Kathy is forced back into her chair.

And I am captivated.

I see Conor look at Nina, and he says her name.

Then my worst nightmares come true.

I cut off Nina responding to Conor as I scream about birds and spiders.

And then; "The signs. I'm gone," is all I am able to get out.

I see the King of Evil launch himself over Nina, and he lands on top of me.

Forcing his full weight to squash me into the bed.

I struggle to free myself.

But nothing helps.

I am trapped.

In the ghostly hands of Death himself.

None of the people in the room can see me. They cannot hear my cries for help.

Not even Raymond.

My boyfriend can't help me, after everything he has done for me.

Nina is struggling towards me, and I see Raymond is struggling towards me as well.