Let's Die Again

Visions

After dropping Haley off at school, I rushed to work. Arriving 15 minutes late again, I knew Tonya wouldn't be happy. As soon as I clocked in and sat down in my cubicle she strutted over and frowned at me. Her brown skin stretched tight over her bony face, and the blue contacts she liked wearing , appeared very cloudy this morning. Her thin lips slowly separated , and she spoke to me in her fading New York accent.

" Late again for the 5th time in two weeks Ms. Cheshire, now you know I can't be having this. When I interviewed you for this position you stressed to me how important you took punctuality . I pay you to be here on time, and ready to work. "

" I know, I'm so sorry, I've been having some issues with my daughter, but I promise you I will do better. I really need this job. "

" No more, if you're late again I will fire you." She warned as she zoomed in on her next employee to hassle. 

I went into available and took my first call of the day. The call volume is high today , and by the time lunch rolled around I was ready for a break.  As I sat down in the break room and dug into my purse for a Tylenol for my minor headache , I suddenly became dizzy. My friend Gail rushed over to me as soon as my body begin to tilt out of my chair. 

" Alyssa! Are you OK? " She asked as she helped me sit back upright.  She placed a hand on my arm and looked at me with concern. 

" I... I don't know what happened. I just got dizzy all of the sudden. " I replied.  What a weird morning this was turning out to be. I had never gotten that dizzy before to the point of almost fainting. Stress had a way of creeping up on you without you realizing it. 

Assuring Gail I was fine, I got up and walked languidly to the restroom.  I made it into on the stark clean stalls, and sat down. After what felt like an eternity, I began to urinate. 

As I exited the stall , the lights began flickering. I hurried over to the sink to wash my hands so I could get the hell out of there just in case the power went off for good. Empty bathrooms always gave me the creeps if I stayed in them too long and the thought of being in one with the lights off caused the hairs on my arms to rise.   The lights stopped flickering as I shook the water off my hand. Someone handed me a paper towel to dry my hands. I didn't know anyone else had entered the bathroom .Startled, I dropped the towel on to the counter as I turned to my left and saw the black  figure floating  next to me. It had the shape of a human, but it was made of  black smoke,  its eyes however were human. It was   the saddest brightest blue eyes I have ever seen and it stared back at me with such intensity , the shock of seeing it had me frozen it place. 

" Don't let Haley down this time, be stronger."  It rasped to me, right before I fainted.