A Devious Exchange

Bold Imaginations and Tangible Cravings

Note: I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable, so I shall give warnings from here on out if there's something I think should be pointed out (in a way that doesn't spoil anything). This chapter does have a mature scene; nothing too crazy, but I think it's only right to forewarn any young readers. Happy reading ~P2P

Darkness the shade of lead and porpoise blinded my eyes in an eerie darkness. The surrounding air felt cool and moist as it clung to me, with not a sound to be heard all around. I don't feel cold, but my skin felt like there were drops of water all over me. I dart my tongue out across my lips to feel the gathered moisture pooled in its creases. Blinking once, twice, and a third time, I came to the realization that I could not see. Nothing was there for my eyes to make out.

Everything is black like the night sky, not a single shade straying from the dark palette.

I don't know where I was. Or even possess a recollection of where I was prior. Why I couldn't remember anything previously baffled me. It's as if my memories were wiped away in the stagnant air, leaving only my consciousness to accompany me.

My hands lifted themselves from the floor in search of a familiar face. Hesitantly, they brush against my nose, cheeks, and brows. The skin felt slightly cold and wet, little divots here and there from scars and other imperfections of my past. It felt like hundreds of little raindrops skewed across my body, like dew drops clinging to the grass in the early morning. Gliding downwards, my fingers sculpted around my chin and neck, all feeling the same from what I faintly recall, yet still having the same odd moisture.

Moving my attention to the rest of my body, my clothes stuck to me like a glove, a dampness seeping into the delicate fabrics that weighed it down against my chest and legs. I was lying on an uneven surface, uncomfortable sticks or rocks digging into various point on my back and bottom.

I felt so confused. My mind kept drawing blanks, and no matter how hard I tried to remember, I only ended up with an increasing migraine. How did I wind up... here? Wherever here was. I don't even know how long I've been lying on the ground for.

"Hello?" My voice hitched at my attempt to speak, my chest fighting in protest against the binds of my bodice. I cupped my throat with one hand, bewildered as to why I couldn't talk. It was like there was something in my throat that prevented any sound from coming out. Perhaps it was mucus? Was I getting sick? I took a deep gulp of the stale air only for it to stir a coughing fit. An odd dust now covered my tongue and throat, nearly suffocating me. I sat up quickly to expel whatever it was I just breathed in, spitting out the horrid taste onto the ground.

To my surprise, an identical coughing met my ears a few seconds later. I looked up swiftly, tucking a few annoying hair strands behind my ear as I squinted my eyes in search of their silhouettes. It sounded as if a dozen or so people just coughed, but they had to be spread out from what my ears detected.

I cleared my throat of the uncomfortable feeling, calling out hoarsely to the others, "Is anyone there?"

Several beats of silence passed as I patiently waited, confused why they didn't talk back. Other than the faint sound of something dripping, there wasn't a single breath to be heard.

"Hello?" I questioned a bit louder, only to jump at the immediate collage of hellos following my lead. They all muffled together in an indecipherable mumble, having the same pitch as my own voice. They were talking over each other with not a care? What in the world?

"Why are you repeating-"

'why are you repeating-'

Oh. I wanted to slap my head for being so stupid; the 'whispers' are merely just reverberations of myself. I almost laughed at the thought of having a conversation with myself, but the realization I was alone extinguished that lightheartedness quickly.