In Our Hearts

twelve > sweating

Morning came by so quickly. I was woken by my sleep by the bright sunlight through the blinders at the big glass window. No one was there in Maya's room but me. I didn't question where did everyone else went though.

Maya's bandages were gone, the doctor finally took them off. I could see her face again. I felt so happy to see that her face was fine - pretty as always, her eyelids still has a bit of glitter and her hair was neatly placed on the pillow like she was in a play or something.

I was speechless and my eyes were watery. I walked closer to her and held her hand. By then, a tear dripped down my face. "Maya." I closed my eyes. Please wake up.

"Peaches." A weary voice sounded.

Maya's eyes opened up. I couldn't believe it. She was awake. I felt relieved, grateful. I felt happy. My friend - the best friend I could never have, was finally awaken. My best friend was home.

"Maya," I cried, hugging her. Some of her hair got into my face but I didn't care. My nose was clogged and my chest hurt so much. "Maya, you-" My lips trembled. "You came back." I managed to state the last few words.

"Don't leave me Maya. Ever again." I hugged her back and forth. I couldn't see how my breathing would turn back to normal. I shut my eyes once again.

"Riley." She dragged my name as she said it. It was like a stranger calling my name that sent chills running through my spine. It was like a ghost reaching out to me. For the first time ever, I felt uneasy being in Maya's embrace. When I pulled away, as fast as possible, the person I hugged was no longer Maya. It was her but not the one I knew.

Her face was the same. Nothing changed except the look on her face. It was rage, madness, anger. Revenge. "Why didn't you save me Riley?" Her voice was the same but it was scaring me. Somehow she looked like a stranger. The one with small pupils and a hideous smile.

"I'm your friend right?" She shouted, suddenly turned bigger. Her neck grew longer. This wasn't Maya.

"Answer me!" She screamed as I backed away until I didn't have anywhere to run to. I was cornered by her, this beast.

"She won't hurt you," I whispered repitetiously to myself. I curled myself into a ball like a kid who was being bullied but worst, by your own friend, best friend. I cried and cried, hoping that this would all be over. But it wasn't that easy.

"Answer me Riley! Am I your friend?!" Her shadow covered my whole body, resulting me in the dark - where I belonged.

I didn't answer.

"Riley!" Her voice could send thousands of glasses, fifty-three kilometres from here to break. I wasn't going to answer her. I was afraid of my own friend. The one who had my back. The one who stood up for me. The one who's always there for me. Without her, I couldn't stand straight. I could barely walk.

When I looked up to her, all in one motion, her hands came swooshing to my neck, choking me to death. Maya was trying to kill me. Her face turned to somebody I couldn't make out but it really looked like the ghosts in Insidious. It still haunts me till today. Her lips were black, her skin was white and baggy and her eyes were almost red.

"You were my friend! How could you! How could you!"

I couldn't breathe. My mind was spinning. All I could see was a glimpse of Maya's face and shadows. My sight was blurry and my eyes hurt from crying. My throat had to suffer pain from wailing and screaming.

How could you! Those are the words that came wandering into my head. I couldn't think straight. I had surendered to everything. I stopped crying, I stopped breathing as I let my body be carried into air. Suddenly I was in this colourful space with no gravity, just clouds of pastel colours.

How could you! Riley! The words kept echoing in that space. The sounds, bouncing off invisible walls and constantly being reflected. They were unclear but I could make it out a little.

How could you!

How coul- up!

Riley! Wa- could you!

Wake- you! Riley! Riley!

Wake up! How could you!

Wake up Riley! Wake up!

I opened my eyes with a shock. I felt like I was just brought back to life. I was being carried to some place. My nose and mouth was covered with a breathing mask. That's when I knew, I was still in the hospital. I was dreaming. But where was I going?

Lights kept entering my eyes which made my sight worse. I couldn't see anything. I could hear the sound of people talking like they were panicking. My throat was dry as though as the screaming was real and my cheeks were wet. I was crying, without realising.

But I couldn't think that much. My mind was racing and throbbing painfully. It was torture. Mental torture.

But I forced myself to get up and see Maya which made someone push me down on the bed with wheels again. "Riley don't move." It was Farkle. They were bringing me to some place.

But I need to see Maya! I need to see my best friend! I didn't say it though. I didn't have the energy. "I need.." I exhaled heavy breaths. "T'see Maya.." After that, I didn't remember what happened. I passed out.