In Charlotte's Eyes

ONE: [C] Unfortunately Back In Action

It felt like years of Charlotte’s life passed after she went unconscious. When she finally woke up, she was laying against a wall, limp. Her eyes snapped open.

Black marble met her eyes initially. She looked around in awe. Carefully, she brought herself to her feet.

She was back at home. In her house. On the countertop in front of her, there was a radio, though the front of it was on the other side. The curtains were closed and the TV was off. She turned around, noticing she had been previously laying against her oven.

She suddenly noticed she could see out of her right eye. She smiled with a gasp. She reached for the top of her head. It was intact.

Her back turned to the door, it opened. “Charlotte.” Charlotte gasped sharply. That was Parker. She swiftly jolted backwards. The top of his head poked through the ajar door. “Come on.” His tone was inviting, positive. He retreated, closing the door behind him.

“Parker?!” Charlotte was quick to sprint to the door, grabbing the knob and turning it. She stumbled outside, but.. Her face scrunched in confused shock. She was.. in a cave. In front of her lay a working flashlight, shining a beam of light ahead. “Uh..” She looked behind her. The front of her house remained. She turned back forwards, bending down and grabbing the flashlight. “Parker..?” She called, her voice echoing.

“Over here, Charlotte!” His faint voice echoed off the walls. She pointed the flashlight in—what she deduced as—his general direction.

She began walking forwards. “Parker! Where are you?!”

“This way!” This time, his voice didn't echo. It was clear as day where it was coming from. She swiftly turned and started running in his direction.

Her feet splashed against accumulated puddles in the open cave. “Parker..!” She shouted as she kept on running. “I'm sorry..!” It was him most of all that she wronged.

She gulped, waiting for him to call back. When she received nothing in return, she panicked. She pushed herself to go faster. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if she didn't apologize to him for betraying him. She came to a halt when a wall with conveniently placed stepping stones blocked her path.

“Charlotte,” She looked up. Parker was at the top of the wall. “Up here.” He beamed at her. Then, he retreated out of her sight again.

Frantically she scaled the wall. “Parker..! Parker, please!” She grunted. “I know I treated you horribly. I used you! I used all of you guys.” She groaned as she pulled herself over the top. Panting, she looked up. There was a light at the end of the tunnel. She took a few quick breaths. “I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'm so sorry!”

She forced herself up. Parker was nowhere in sight, but she could sense that he was straight ahead, waiting for her. She sprinted full blast towards the exit, ditching her flashlight in the process. “You're almost there, Charlotte!” His voice echoed, excited.

That encouraged her to go even harder. She leaned forward and took big strides, arms thrusting in tune. The light came closer and closer. And soon..

She crossed the finish line. The light from the outside blinded her, and she stumbled, tripping and falling to her knees. She closed her eyes, panting, out of breath. Slowly, she let her eyes adjust to the light by squinting and blinking. Grass. Green grass on the floor. She looked up finally.

She was at the front steps of Parker’s home. He waited for her at the door, looking down at her with a smile. “Good job. Just one more step, Charlotte.”

His steps were much more vertical than she remembered, as well as there being way, way more steps. Nevertheless, she brought herself up, still gently shaking from the cardio. Hobbling, she stared into his welcoming eyes as she took the first step.