Dark Matter

Chapter 10

Pain.
Excruciating, mind numbing, blinding pain was the first thing Rizza felt when he woke up. He let out a cry but it made his lungs feel like they were being crushed. His eyes felt like they were about to burst. He stared down at his hands and they were an angry, patchy red. He gasped for breath, he felt like a sponge that had been squeezed dry.
Deoxidization.
There was a breech in the hull. Rizza and everything else on the ship was experiencing the harsh lack of atmosphere that was space.
And there was nothing he could do.
There was someone standing over his bed. They were insanely tall and their skin was melting off. They were saying Rizzas name.
He tried to scream, but no sound came out. He shut his eyes and waited for death to take him.
"Rizza," he heard the voice again, and he opened his eyes, and there was the panicked face of Malakai. "You were hallucinating." Malakai huffed, cupping Rizzas face gently.
"Don't touch me," Rizza pulled away, backing up until he was up against the headboard. Whoever was in front of him was definitely not Mal.
"What are you talking about? You're acting crazy," Mal shook his head, reaching out to him again. But Rizza only recoiled, glaring. Malakai lowered his hand.
"This isn't you. This life isn't you!" Rizza shouted. "Your name is Malakai Aspen. You fought in World War IV 9 years ago. You've never said you loved me because you're too afraid. We drink together. A lot. And we are SO NOT MARRIED!" Rizza blew up.
"I never fought World War IV! I was going to med school on Flara-9! My name is Malakai Dewitt and you're my husband and I love you," Malakai let out a shuddery sob. He was crying.
Rizza stared at him, watching him cry, but felt nothing.
Rizza didn't know the man sitting in front of him.