The Deceased

Chapter Thirty - My half-life as a Prisoner

Today has to be the day.

Im slowly dying, and with the way im going, ill end up being the reason i die sooner.

Its been two days since he beat me. Two more needles that have given me two more bruises. During those two days i have tried to heal as much as i could with no water. I give it 24 hours tops until my body finally gives out.

It feels like so long ago i saw something i havent seen since i had a normal life. A bug, only small, crawled underneath the door. It came right up to my face, staring into my eyes. With shaky hands i had picked it up, wondering if it was a dream, but i waited and it waited with me. I realised it was as real as i was, and wherever Vlad was, he missed it.

I threw the whole thing in my mouth, having nothing to kill it with but my own teeth. It tasted like i had drunken dirty dish water, but still, it was food.

My body, however, was not used to eating at all, and bile rose up my throat. I tried everything to keep it down but i threw it up all the same.

At that thought my stomach gurgled. I look to where Jane was sat, her back to me. She was sobbing uncontrollably.

She has been like that ever since Vlads fateful visit. It confused me. Didnt she say she was here to help? How is it that my subconscious is at a loss when I feel so ready?

"I hope youre thinking of a plan while you do that," i tell her, annoyed. "Anything to help would be nice."

"Dont yell at me," she bends into her hands, talking through her tears. "Youre the one doing this."

"Really?" I ask, "because im doing some pretty deep thinking, and you keep distracting me with all your mood swings. So stop." I turn away. "We arent in highschool anymore."

"Im trying to stop. Its your stupid head."

It felt like old times, meeting at side by side parking lots at school, making snide comments before heading to class.

It was at that moment i started to cry too. This situation has my emotions more messed up than they usually are. Maybe its Jane, or maybe its my body starting to shut down. I shake my head and try to take a deep breath until my hands stop shaking.

"Is that-" Jane seems instantly better, crawling to my side and wiping away at her cheeks.

"Wow," she says. "That was horrible. I havent been that depressed since i watched you eat that turkish delight you love so much."

"I dont remember ever teasing myself." I smile, my cracked lips splitting. Clumsily i wipe at the blood. My hands were already so dirty i could hardly notice the difference. "Sure you arent the actual Jane i remember?"

"Thats impossible," she says, pulling me up slowly in a sitting position. I cradle my ribs. "You saw me die."

Jane lightly brushes at the bruises on my face. "Youre right. Im here to help you."

I blink. Of course she could hear what i was thinking. She is my thoughts.

"Can you stand?" She asks, concerned. I smile again. Im concerned for myself. Seems about right.

I havent tried standing in two days. At first the room spun and sweat beaded on my forehead. I fell back suddenly onto the hard floor. It was like i was learning everything a second time. It took me atleast a further half hour before my feet didnt feel so sensitive to walk.

"Okay," Jane says. She watched silently the whole time. "Thats a start i guess. Now for a plan."

"It has to do with the nee-" i stop midsentence. My thoughts drift to the girl in the next room. I cant just leave her here.