Hush (WATTYS 2017)

Chapter 2- Mute

My birthday is soon.

One week to be exact. I'll be eighteen. But I won't be free. I'll never have another birthday party, or presents, or friends, or my parents.

No morning pancakes or special breakfasts. No singing. No smiling. No laughing. Just abuse.

"Oh Ariana!"

This early? Or late..? I don't know anymore. Either way. Why now?

"I know for a fact you've been wishing for death." Carl says, walking through the door. "Well, consider this an early birthday present." What? What the hell is he talking about? Is he high?

I'm comes another man. Black hair, and dull eyes. He's carrying a jug of gasoline and some matches. "Seems some werewolves have found us." Carl whispers. His breath smells like the dead. "We need to leave."

Is he setting me free?! He grabs me and chains me to the wall.

What? One last fuck before I go?

The other man pours gasoline around me and on me. Drenching me in the toxic liquid. What the hell?!

He lights a match and throws it across the room, lighting the wall on fire. They walk out. "Bye bye hot cakes." Carl says over his shoulder.

I panic. This is the end. Fuck.

Smoke clouds around me, making it harder and harder to breath. I cough cough. But I still can't get air into my lungs. The fires arms come closer and closer, reaching for me.

Heat envelopes me. It feels as if it's melting me.

My eyes water due to the amount of smoke. My lungs contract, making it hard to breathe. I gasp for air, but there is none. Just thick, black smoke.

The smoke is so thick, it's opaque. I can't see anything.

The fire crackles loudly.

Faintly, I hear the door slam. I'm hallucinating.

This is where it ends. I guess my wish is coming true. I just had hoped it'd be more peaceful.

I see a black figure right in front of me. The tall, built figure reaches out for me.

I'm enveloped in a feeling of safety and sparks. That the last thing I feel before my eyes shut.

•

When I wake up, my eyes are still closed. I open them, only to close them again. Why is it so bright? I'm dead, that's why.

Maybe I went to heaven.

Deciding I've had enough sleep, I painfully open my eyes.

Fluorescent lights burn into my eyes. I force them open and look at my surroundings. I'm in a hospital room. So not heaven... Figures.

I hear the door open, but I don't bother to look. I just look at the bright lights above me. "Oh! You're awake! I'll get the doctor!" An excited, chirpy voice said. I winced, my head is killing me.

Her voice isn't helping.

A while later, the door clicks open again. "Hello," a deep voice greets. I look to my left to see who it was. It's an older man, about middle age. "I'm Doctor Woods." I nod in acknowledgment. "How are you feeling?" I sigh, and sit up. I point to my throat and shake my head. "Your throat hurts? Do you need some water?" I shake my head.

How do I put this...? I make a talking motion with my hand and then shake my head. "You're mute?" I nod my head. "I see." He writes something down on his clipboard. "Well, that just means we'll have to find other means of communication, now won't we?" I smile a little, and nod.