SSBBA: Fresh Jam

Untitled Part 14

I am not dreaming. 

I know because no matter how hard I try, I cannot pinch myself hard enough to awake from this dark room. Everywhere I turn, I am faced with darkness. I am familiar with this room, since I haven't been able to rid it of my dreams. Night after night, I have been forced to return to this dark room, avoiding whatever is lurking within. That is no longer an option. A low, deep droning noise emits from every corner of the room, but other than that, there's nothing, except myself. I remain quiet. It is pointless to speak, as whatever I say won't be able to combat my fear. 

{THUD...}

{THUD...}

{THUD...}

Thundering booms increase in volume as I feel a feint red glow growing stronger from behind me. 

No...

No-no-no...

I bolt without looking back. 

{SLAM!}

I fling forward and tumble to the floor, keeping my eyes shut.

{THUD-THUD-THUD}

The footsteps get faster and, in no time, catch up to me.

My heavy, trembling breaths are the only source of sound until I emit a painful whimper, from the chilling claws grasping my shoulder. 

I don't.

Despite my fear, I know keeping quiet will solve nothing.

If I ever want to go back to my friends, I have to speak.

I form my words as hard as I can muster.

Me: Wh-wh-what... do you want...?

Me: Wh-why...? Wh-why do you have to... I haven't done a-anything wrong...! I-I've d-done my best t-to be the b-berry best I can-

The claws sink deeper into my shoulder and I wail.

Me: S-so th-that's it...? Y-you're just gonna k-kill me, y-you damn monster...?!

I get flipped onto my back and, desperately, keep my eyes shut, as a foot slams onto my stomach, causing me to wheeze like the devil.

Me: I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry! J-just stop! L-look, I know why you're upset, okay?! B-but y-you can't b-blame me for this! N-no matter how hard I try, I-I just... n-never have enough time!

I start to sob.

Me: I-I know... B-but creating those stories... h-helped me... Th-they distracted me from the reality I was forced to live in...

I take a deep sigh, knowing what I was told is the truth.

I hear a quick whirring sound and feel something clamping around my body.

I still do not open my eyes.

I feel myself being risen and I finally look up. I'm being brought back to the surface, as if nothing happened.

As if what I've been through never actually happened.

But I know differently.

And now... I have a choice.

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TO BE CONTINUED...