TEACH ME HOW TO DIE: REBORN

Chapter 4

                                    CHAPTER FOUR

                                 Neo regains his conscience

I woke up extremely startled and gasping for air, clutching at my chest to find my heart that I was so afraid was missing. It was the days that I woke up from my black outs that I dreaded the most. Waking up felt like I’ve been dead for so long, as If I were holding my breath for days and had my life on pause. Sometimes it’d be so bad that I’d have mini panic attacks and now was one of those times.

          My fingers curled against the whit sheets of my bed and I slammed my eyes closed, clutching for dear life as my heart continued pushing against my chest with a fierceness so rash, that I was surprised it hadn’t come bursting out of my body yet.

          What came next was the worst of it; when everything from those four days came crashing back into my head.

They came with so much force and momentum that a split second later, all was forgotten, as if nothing ever happened. I sighed deeply when it was all over, running my fingers trough my thick tangled hair.

          I wasn’t the one to use harsh words but if I can say this, I hated the feeling that came after my black outs. If I was able to choose, I would stop them all together. But I was cursed with them and as far as I knew, there was no way to stop them from happening.

Maybe if I didn’t have them in my life the kids here would treat me better; treat me normal. Like I belonged here with the rest of them.

          Was that too much to ask for? Ah, I shouldn’t be so ungrateful. I could be dead. Yes, there were definitely worse things out there that could happen to me.

          “Neo…” Leighton’s voice was hesitant and unsure. It was like she wasn’t sure if I were really me. I smiled down at my blanket.

          “Leighton…it’s always a relief to hear your voice shortly after I wake.”

I couldn’t see her face of course but I could feel her grinning. I could always sense her smile. It was as if a single ray of sun light was shining on my flushed cheeks. She was the source of my happiness I guess you could say. With her around, you would always see me smile.

          “Knock knock. Welcome back Neo.”

Ah, Fallen’s voice always sounded like wind chimes to me. beautiful, but it left and agitating ringing after every word. “Thank you, Fallen.”

I turned my head towards Leighton and I saw tears in her brown eyes. My eyes widened.

“Leighton! What’s wrong?” she shook her head with a small smile and wiped her tears away with the back of her hand. “I’m just happy for you. Hurry up and get dressed. There’s a surprise waiting for you downstairs.”

          So, while wondering what kind of surprise could possibly be waiting for me down stairs, I showered and got dressed into a neat button down shirt and khaki’s.

What kind of surprise would make Leighton cry? She wasn’t the type to show those kinds of emotions. Leighton was hard and solid. She was my rock.

          When I made it down stairs Mother Mariah was waiting for me with a smile on her chubby face but deep worry in her eyes. What exactly was going on? “Where is this surprise of mine?” I asked curiously. She shook her head and loose blonde curls spiraled into her kind blue eyes. “Go on to my office Neo.” I went with no further prevail.