Sane/ F. Hargreeves

Chapter Three- The Awakening

Sunlight filled the room, casting soft steaks of light across your bedroom floor. The familiar smell of old books hit you instantly as you slowly stirred.  Your head pounded with a dull ache, and the sensation of the sheets beneath your fingertips felt foreign, almost like they weren't yours to touch. The last thing you remembered was chaos, explosions, and the sensation of everything fading to black. But now you were here, in your childhood bedroom, as if none had ever happened.

You opened your eyes slowly, squinting against the brightness. Your heart pounded as you glanced around, the room exactly as you remembered it. Posters on the walls, books you hadn't touched in years. But something was wrong. Something was different. Your body felt smaller, lighter. Panic surged through your chest as you sat up abruptly, throwing the covers off and looking down at your hands. Small. Too small. 

 You scrambled out of bed, rushing to the mirror on the wall, your feet stumbling over the floorboards. Your reflection stared back at you, and the sight made your stomach twist.

You were in your thirteen-year-old body.

Your fingers grazed your face in disbelief, trying to make sense of what was happening. You were supposed to be in your 30s, supposed to have lived through everything that had happened.. supposed to be gone. The door creaked open, and you spun around, expecting one of your siblings. Instead, there was nothing but silence. For a moment, you thought you might still be dreaming, trapped in some fevered memory of the past.

I turned back to the mirror before quickly slapping myself trying to wake up but instead felt a stinging sensation "Ow, okay I'm not dreaming then" I muttered to myself before I looked around. "What the hell happened" I asked no one as I walked up to the window pushing away the dusty blinds before I peered down. Seeing all my siblings around in the courtyard I heard my door creek open. I quickly grabbed a vase before turning around "It's just me Number Eight" Pogo's familiar voice rang out. I lowered the vase "Pogo?" I managed to croak out, my voice was higher than I remembered. "You're awake it seems," Pogo said as he came in with his hands clasped behind his back. 

I managed to nod, too overwhelmed to say anything. "Eight, my child you have been in a coma for 17 years," Pogo said. "A coma?" I repeated before I gestured to the body "How come I'm still in my teenage body? Am I not supposed to be in my thirties?" I asked but Pogo shook his head "Your father said somehow your body stopped aging but your mind kept growing throughout the years" Pogo replied as he looked at the vase that I was still holding up. "Right, right," I said sheepishly as I placed down the vase on the table beside me. "So what's happening?" I asked referring to my siblings out in the courtyard. 

"Your father has passed away"

I blinked before shrugging "Well. I can't be surprised that man was a fossil when I was a kid" I replied. Pogo's brows furrowed he was expecting some tears or something. "That's it?" Pogo asked. "Well, he didn't exactly win 'Father of the Year" awards. He spent his whole life treating us like science experiences" I replied crossing my arms.

Pogo slowly nodded before softening "I understand, well your siblings are downstairs along with Grace" Pogo informed. I looked at Pogo seeing that he wouldn't budge. "Fine I'll go.. but if anybody makes this an emotional bonding time. I'm out" I said which made Pogo chuckle "That's all I ask Eight," Pogo said as he was about to walk out the room before I spoke up "Five.. is he back?" I asked quietly. Pogo stopped before he turned to me "Number Five isn't back, unfortunately.. your father hopes he'll be" Pogo said calmly. I nodded "Thanks Pogo," I said sighing. "Anytime," Pogo said with a reassuring tone before he walked out. 

I went over to my closet before I grabbed a random jacket, I looked down at it before realizing it was Five's old blazer that he gave me. "idiot" I mumbled before I wore the jacket feeling the familiar fabric around me before I walked out. 

Author's note: I just returned from a trip to find 100 new readings.  Thank you so much for reading my book!  Today, I'll be posting around 2 chapters from the days I missed.

Much love <3