Lost in World

Chapter 2

I limped down a long, dark hallway. Torches lit up the walls on either side of me. I shook my leg, feeling confused why it was weak and hurt. Every door I walked by was a dull black, cracked bits of peeling paint splitting through them. I didn’t know why my heart was pounding so ferociously. The air was stale, like it had sat unmoving for years over years. I was nearing the end of the hall, making my way towards a navy blue door with shining brass all over it when something stopped me. A cherry red door appeared on my right. Silver spider webs criss-crossed down it and covered the dusty window in the middle. I wiped off the dirt with my hand when a thump sounded. The door at the end of the hallway had burst open. It was completely dark in the frame.

            “Come,” Something whispered from inside the doorway. My insides churned as I slowly began to stumble towards the door. My eyes were glued to the void inside and I stumbled towards it faster, unable to control myself. My mind was stumbling, fighting the urge to go into the room. The blackness came faster and faster and as soon as I entered the room a picture of the red door popped up in my mind. I turned with a fright, reaching towards the hallway with an outstretched palm. The door slammed shut and my heavy breathing sliced through the eerie silence, sending shivers up my body, prickling my neck.

            “Wake up,” it whispered in my ear. The next thing I knew I was sprinting through the black, my arms pumping as fast as they could move. Fire started falling, shining blindingly in my eyes. I had to get out but I couldn’t move. My legs were frozen. I couldn’t see. The ground collapsed, swallowing me like a ravenous beast. I inhaled, preparing to cry out but no sound came forth. Only ragged breathing that could be heard two feet away.

            “WAKE UP!”

            I jumped up so fast my head hit the bottom of the bunk bed. I fell back with a pained grunt and wiped my hands on my face, trying to take the sleep from my eyes. Rudy stood above me, one eyebrow hooked questioningly. His dark brown hair was falling down his face, covering his silvery green eyes.

            “Dude you need a haircut,” I muttered as I rubbed my sore forehead.

            “Are you okay?” Rudy asked, staring at me like I was an absolute nut job.

            “Yeah, just had a weird dream, whatever,” I shrugged, pushing my hair back.

            I heard Rudy mutter the word ‘freak’ as he walked towards the kitchen area. I sauntered into the kitchen behind him; scratching, stretching, and doing all my morning rituals.

            “Breakfast?” I asked as I lazily slumped onto a chair by the countertops.

            Rudy dumped some slop on a plate and slid it down the counter top towards me. It didn’t taste as bad as it sounds, just to let you know. Since we’ve had to sustain ourselves down here for so long we’ve needed all food that couldn’t expire. That narrows the list down pretty well. Besides, Rudy had a knack for making anything look like slop.

            Rudy stood in front of me like a domestic wife; hand on his hip, one eyebrow jutting up.

            “Thank you?” I wondered through a mouthful.

            Rudy looked at me blankly for a moment before laughing slightly out his nose and taking a seat across from me. He played idly with his food.

            “What’s up?” I asked, taking a swig of water, which was distilled sea water.

            “Just thinking,” Rudy replied dully, resting his chin on one hand.