I don't know why, but I'm running. My feet are pounding against the earth beneath me, achingly warning me to stop. But I can't.
I can't stop.
I can't stop.
I can't stop.
I'm so confused. Where's Mariah? Help me. Please. Somebody help me.
And then I'm falling. I don't even have time to call out or scream or even attempt to do any of those things before I splash into water again.
Oh no.
I'm thrashing around, trying to swim to the top, but all I do is sink. There's water in my lungs, my body is aching, and somebody needs to help me. I need help. My lungs are burning...
Burning.
Burning.
Burning.
I can feel my skin peeling and it's the most horrifying feeling. I'm burning alive. It feels so real, everything is so, so real. I'm screaming and coughing and choking on the fumes, but I can't stop burning.
I suddenly inhale water and I'm coughing again. Will this ever stop? Please stop.
Please.
Please.
Please.
I'm still burning, but I'm drowning.
Burning and drowning.
Burning and drowning.
Burning and drowning.
And crying.
Cry.
Cry.
Cry.
I gasp as my head is above water. I no longer feel the burning all through my body, my skin is not peeling and there is no water to be seen. But I'm bleeding.
Bleeding.
Bleeding.
Bleeding.
The beautiful crimson is leaking through my tight fingers, staining my school shirt and ripping onto the tiled floor.
Drip.
Drip.
Drip.
I didn't even cry this time. Why would I? This is just a dream.
Wake up.
Wake up.
Wake up.
And then I do.
YOU ARE READING
wake up.
Teen FictionMy head flies over my pillow in a start. I can't hear what I know to be my raspy breaths, but I still need to breathe. Breathe, Ananka. One. Two. Three. Again. One. Two. Three. I don't want to go to sleep. I can't sleep. I won't sleep. Stay awak...
