It's cold again.
The only thing I could think about was how cold it was. It's been possibly weeks since I was last allowed outside. It could have been longer, but I couldn't tell anymore. I'm not even allowed to look outside, nor go into the small indoor garden attached to House. House won't let me go until I paint again, he won't let me sleep, he won't let me eat. I'm so hungry. I am curled up on the sofa now, my stomach hurting while I freeze.
Knock knock knock
It's Barnaby, he came to try to get me to come outside again. If only I could tell him the truth, tell him that my isolation has never been my decision. But even if I could, I can barely speak now, my throat hurts just like everything else.
"Wally!?! Are you ok?! Please come outside! We miss you! Did we say something to upset you?! Why are you hiding?!" Barnaby's worried, panicking voice called out. If only I could answer. But I can't, so I just lay there. A small tear rolls down my face.
I can't do this anymore. I have to get his attention somehow. I need his help.
I struggle to pull myself up, feeling as if there was an invisible force holding me down, keeping me from getting to him.
I finally managed to get to the door. I do the only thing I could, using the last of my strength, I knock back to him, hoping he would understand my message.
One minute goes by, nothing.
Two minutes go by, nothing.
Three minutes go by, nothing.
Soon five minutes had gone by and I didn't hear anything. I collapsed to the ground sobbing. I was never gonna get out of here. Even if I did finally give in, I don't have enough strength to paint anything anymore. I was stuck and there was nothing I could do.
I fell asleep fully knowing, I might not wake back up.
Soon my eyes closed, but then I felt heat and light surrounded me as I felt myself lifted off the ground.
"Wally! Please wake up! Don't leave me! Please! Please!" The voice was distant almost, but familiar. But it's too late, I can feel myself slipping out of consciousness. I'll feel better if I sleep. I'll have strength if I sleep, just a little bit.
It felt like hours, but also like only minutes, but soon my eyes fluttered open and I was blinded by sudden light.
"Oh! You're awake!!" I look at where the voice is coming from, Barnaby, but what happened? Did he get me out? It appears so as I look around. He comes up to me, I'm in someone's bed, it's not mine though, based on what I could see, it must be Barnaby's bed. So I must be in his house. Good, I'm free for now.
"Barnaby?" I reached out and felt his soft fur against my hand, then pulled it closer, pressing my face into it, letting myself unravel and just let all my feelings out. Soon his fur was soaked with my tears and he held me in his lap and listened to my upset babbling, soon he asked if I was hungry and when I nodded he left for a moment and came back with a small tray with a bunch of my favorite foods. Soon I was back in his lap, eating like I would never be able to again, and holding on to Barnaby, never, ever wanting to be left alone again.
