Crossing the Line

Chapter Nine

I didn't actually edit this chapter properly when I first put it up, so I went back and re-did it, and I like this version a lot better.

Oh! And if you're interested in seeing what the main three look like, here's a picture I did a while ago - http://crossingthelineseries.tumblr.com/post/136661544043/warren-baeham-its-finally-done-d-i-might

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Bonibell was awoken by sunlight; it came through the window's open curtains and shone directly into her eyes. She cursed under her breath, her phone telling her that it was almost seven o'clock. Asiyah was still asleep beside her, her dark hair splayed across the pillow; it looked as if she had fallen back onto the bed once her shift was over. Bonibell jumped out of the bed, slipping on her glasses when she couldn't see Miki anywhere. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw the other collapsed by the door.

Screaming her friend's name, Bonibell ran to her side. Miki wouldn't have fallen asleep on the floor, she'd be too wary of cockroaches, and besides, she would've woken Bonibell if she had been going to sleep anyway. Something had happened to her. At that moment, noting else existed to Bonibell and the things that did were overwhelming. Her heart pounded in her ears, her breaths felt too strong, and Miki laying in front of her was the only thing in focus.

She had been supposed to get up for her turn of guard duty almost four hours ago. This was her fault – would Miki still be here by the door if she had gotten up? She fought to keep thoughts of what had happened out of her mind; they were getting worse by the second.

A breath she didn't know she was holding was released when she finally noticed Miki was breathing. Bonibell felt like she was going to burst into tears of relief, before she heard a movement from behind her.

"What's going on?" Asiyah asked, now sitting up. Her eyes were still heavy and it was clear in her voice that she was still tired. "Is everything okay?"

Bonibell's heart skipped a beat again. If Asiyah knew that she hadn't woken up earlier, she'd feel let down, she'd get mad...

"Miki's just... uh... fallen asleep," she replied slowly, giving Miki a gentle shake, praying for her to come to.

"By the door?" The sceptical tone to Asiyah's voice only contributed to Bonibell's nervousness. She let out a sigh; Asiyah knew. It wasn't a surprise – Asiyah had younger siblings, she could tell when people were lying or were hiding something.

"I don't know what happened, okay?" Bonibell admitted, answering her earlier question. Asiyah grimaced, but said nothing. "I slept through my shift. I just woke up now, and here she was, on the floor. I'm sorry, this is all my fault-"

"Hey, if she's fine, it's fine," Asiyah interrupted. "I get it. I wanted to fall asleep too. I'm a little hurt that you think I'd get mad at you, though."

"Yeah, that was... sorry."

Asiyah sat on her knees beside Miki, shaking her shoulder gently and pleading softly for her to wake up. She came to a moment later, blinking slowly, and the others gave out a sigh of relief. He eyelids were heavy, and her head hurt.

"Are you okay?" Asiyah asked.

"What happened?" asked Bonibell.

"I... I'm fine? I think?" Miki replied, overwhelmed by the sudden bombardment of questions. "And what happened? Um..." She screwed her eyes shut, trying to remember. When the events of the early morning finally came to her they sent a chill down her spine. She took on an expression of fear and continued. "Something was out there," she muttered. "At the door. It-" Her voice broke when she recalled why she'd fainted. "It tried to grab me!"