Saviour's Hell (Completed)

Don't Wake Up

I had no idea how far I had walked or where I ended up last night, but it was far enough to the point where I had to ask someone to take me home. My feet hurt and my legs were sore; there was an aching in my heart, a throbbing in my head, and a ghost of regret on my lips. My dad was waiting for me when I got home the following afternoon.

"Where the hell have you been?" He nearly yelled.

"Oh, so now you care where I go? Now you care when I come home?" I sassed.

"Don't you dare sass me, mister."

"I'll do whatever the hell I want to do. It's my life, not yours."

"Surely you have a death wish, talking to me like that."

"Being dead might be better than living with an alcoholic."

He got close to me, and though I knew what was coming, I stood my ground. "Don't test me, faggot. I'll beat you so bad, you won't be able to sit for a year." He threatened, anger burning in his brown eyes.

"Like it's possible for you to hurt me any more than you already have." I said sarcastically.

We glared at each other for a moment, and my dad raised his fist just before there was a knock on the door, stopping him from doing anything to me. He hesitated before answering the door.

"What?" He said aggressively.

"Hi; I was, uh...is Elijah here?" It was Derek.

Oh, God, it's Derek. I thought.

"Why are you asking for him?"

"Is he available?"

"We're in the middle of something."

"It's only for a second, sir." I could tell he was nervous.

There was a moment of silence. "Elijah; door." My dad called.

I cautiously approached the door, and my dad left us alone as I stepped outside with Derek,closing the door behind me.

"Hey," he said shyly.

"Hey," I replied awkwardly.

"I'm sorry about last night. I didn't mean to-"

I cut him off, not really wanting to talk about that. "Forget it; it was a mistake."

He looked hurt, and looked down as he spoke again. "I'm sorry; I just- I thought you might've...maybe liked me back."

I was taken aback. "W-what?"

"Just forget it; I don't know why I even tried." He turned and walked away, but I could sense he wanted me to call his name, run after him, kiss him passionately, and tell him I've always liked him more than a friend.

But that's not even close to what happened. Instead, I watched him walk away, guilt settling in, before turning around and regretfully going back inside, only to be greeted with a punch to the jaw that instantly knocked me out.

-Later that night-

Is Derek gone? A girl said.

Blood. A man said. I feel blood. Is there blood somewhere?

Bleed out. A distorted male's voice said. Just die; it's not going to get better.

Shh! He's waking up. A woman said.

Ah, damn it. A deep voice said. Why did you have to wake him up?

It's not my fault. A girl said.

What's going on? I thought.

Go back to sleep, Elijah. A woman told me.

Yeah; dream about unicorns and rainbows and penguins on flying peanuts! A little girl said.

I was really confused now.

Don't get up. A man instructed. Just stay down, and he won't come back. Don't get up.

No!  A little boy yelled, fear lacing his voice. Don't open your eyes! We'll be in the dark! Don't do it! Don't open your eyes!

Go to sleep, Elijah. Just go back to sleep. The same woman instructed again. Please , just go back to sleep.

Why? I thought.

A gruff voice spoke. Sleep is peace. You sleep, you don't get hit. Don't wake up. Never wake up.

He's slipping back into sleep! A girl cheered. He's slipping back into sleep!

This didn't make sense.

Just sleep. A woman said. Just sleep. Stay asleep. Just sleep. Stay asleep.

I was slipping in and out of consciousness.

Don't wake up. An indeterminable voice whispered. You mustn't wake up. Never wake up.

You're in danger! Don't open your eyes! A young man warned.

I slipped into my subconscious mind just as I heard footsteps approach me.