Ataraxia

∞|Chapter 8: Why?|∞

My eyes slowly fluttered open. I was in my room, back in the human world, still clumsily lying across the bed, and my slung arm was aching uncontrollably. After a few moments of analyzing my experience in the fantasy world, I got up, sighed in annoyance, and walked to the bathroom to get more painkillers. It wasn't until I came to the hallway when I remembered it was a school day. The huge, mahogany clock in the center of the hallway said 8:32.

'Why didn't my parents wake me up?'

I walked past the bathroom to my parent's bedroom. They were still sleeping.

'Don't they have work today?'

Confused, I went to the bathroom, got the painkillers, and went downstairs to have breakfast. It wasn't until my mom came rushing into the kitchen with a worried expression on her face,

"Oh my god, Ash!" My mom ran across the room and held me in a tight embrace, "I thought you'd never wake up!"

"Um, mom? Are you okay?" I asked, shifting out of her crushing hug.

"That's my line, honey," my mom hugged me again, "You've passed out for 3 days. I didn't know what to do. No matter how hard I shook you or how loud I screamed at you, you wouldn't wake up." my mom cried into my shoulder.

'3 days? Has it been that long?'

When my mom finally released me, her tangled-up hair was lazily tied up in a bun on her head, and her face streaked with dried up tears. Just then, my dad had walked into the room, and let out a sigh of relief. Confused, I looked at both their faces, and looked down and stared at my half spilled bowl of cereal.

I lay in my bed listening to music until my annoying brother stormed into my room, and threw a faded red t-shirt at my head. I swiftly dodged the attack, and threw my pillow at him.

"I found it in my room," was all he said, and he stormed out of the room, turning off the light, and closing the door behind him.

'Now I'm completely blind because of that imbecile." I muttered under my breath, and felt my way to the light switch. When I turned the light on, the creepy woman stood in front of me.

"What are you doing here?" I nearly shouted at The Able.

"You're supposed to be in the fantasy world, people are awaiting your return."

I looked at the creature suspiciously, and stumbled back and sat on my bed,

"Why would they want me back?" I asked, wrapping myself in my blanket for protection, although a blanket probably won't save my life if it attacked me.

"Let me make myself clear," said The Able, "There's going to be an attack on Alfhiem."

I looked at the creature in shock, and sat up quickly, throwing the blanket aside,

"When?! By whom?! Take me there now!"

"No worries," said The Able, inching toward me, and extended her arm, "Eowin will explain everything."

I fell unconscious before my head hit the pillow.