Don't Get Into The Car

[ 3 ]

Simon returns only when the sun sets. The moon casts a soft grey hue over the space. The lack of lighting creates an uncanny atmosphere, leaving you feeling unsettled and on edge. By the time the door finally opens again, you find yourself on the brink of madness. The only thing keeping you from ripping out your hair or banging your head against the window until either the glass breaks or you pass out is the fact that you can't move. The frustration of attempting to move your body has overwhelmed you. No matter how determined you are, you are completely powerless against the unknown substance flowing through your veins.

A soft glow emanates from the hallway, and the light gradually floods into the room you are in. As your eyes adjust to the sudden change, you instinctively blink, momentarily shielding yourself from the brightness. You can't turn your head to look at the door, so your gaze remains fixed on the ceiling. Meanwhile, a dark figure approaches. Their footsteps make the ground shake. The sound echoes off the walls.

Black boots come to a sudden halt next to the side of your head, and for a while, Simon just looks at you as if trying to read your mind. You avert your gaze before closing your eyes. The heavy silence hangs in the air, creating a palpable tension between you and him.

"Your temporary room is ready." He scoops you up, effortlessly peeling you away from the ground. In his arms, your body is limp. He adjusts his grip and makes you lay your head on his shoulder. When you are carried into the hallway, your eyes flutter open. Your gaze scans the new surroundings, taking mental notes of every little detail.

The room you were in was dreadful — the wallpaper was peeling off the walls and the old wooden floors were sticky. There was not a single piece of furniture in sight, leaving the space feeling empty and cold. Also, the lingering metallic scent in the air made you want to vomit each time you took a deep breath. However, as you ventured further into the house, you were met by a completely different sight.

The walls in the hallways are painted in a crisp white colour. There are no paintings or pictures hung. A row of heavy grey curtains are drawn, covering every window, not allowing you to peek outside. You and Simon pass by numerous closed doors; you assume all of them are locked, too.

"Soon enough, you will start feeling like yourself again," he assures you and you assume he means that with a little more time, you will regain full control of your body.

You barely can feel Simon's arms wrapped around you, but you hate knowing that he is touching you. You wish you wouldn't be so helpless and completely at his mercy. Also, you desperately want him to stop pretending like he and you are having a conversation, when he is merely engaging in a monologue with himself, which you are forced to listen to.

"Are you hungry? Probably. Don't worry, I'll see what I can do about it."

Finally, he stops in front of another closed door. After walking through, he descends the stairs once more, and you suddenly realize that he is taking you into the dark, eerie basement. The thought of being trapped in a room with just a single window and a locked door was already terrifying, but at least then you still had a slim chance of escaping, if you could, by sheer luck, shatter the glass and then find enough bravery to jump out. However, now, you are about to be abandoned in a frigid, damp space, devoid of any windows, natural light, or fresh air.

You feel your pulse quicken. Your throat dries up as the familiar feeling of panic creeps into your mind, slowly but surely. Fear takes hold of you once again. Its grip tightening with every passing second, making you feel as if you are about to pass out. Simon, sensing your distress, lowers your body onto something soft. He looms over you and you can see concern in his eyes. After you avert your gaze, he tilts your head to the side and presses his fingers to the side of your neck. Silence settles in as he begins mumbling something to himself.