Maturing

Chapter 2

My back throbs as I roll onto my side. Opening my eyes, I suppress a cry of pain. It feels as though there's a knife cutting open my brain. Muscles straining, I pull up the covers on the bed, covering my face. The scent of fresh linen washes over me and I breathe in deeply. It's too early for learning. I haven't looked at my clock yet but I'm thinking it's probably about seven in the morning. Slowly I pull the covers back down to check. Crap! It's nearly eleven and I've missed my group classes. Even though I don't like having to see people online in those classes, I know that it's bad news if you miss those classes. Sometime today, the city will transport someone into my room to check in on me.

Scrambling from my bed, I attempt to sprint to my laptop. Perhaps if I make my appearance online, albeit late, the city won't send someone to check on me. Nobody makes contact with anybody other than partners so sickness is extremely rare. It's a big deal if you are. Standing up quickly, I find that the world sways and I collapse to the ground, a wave of nausea crashing over me. I hold my head with both my hands, rocking forward. Slowly, I move onto my stomach and belly crawl to the kitchen. The floor is unsteady and I continuously pause to regain my balance. I've barely moved but I find myself gasping for breathe, lungs burning. Arm first, leg second. Switch. Repeat. I focus on this mantra as I struggle to crawl a few more feet.

Exhausted, I roll onto my back and stretch out. My throat feels like it is under attack by sandpaper, my lungs a sloppy mixture of sand and water. Darkness rims my vision and I find myself consistently losing control of my vision. I direct it towards the kitchen, but can only see the room for a few seconds. My body beats in time with my heartbeat and all I can hear is the beat with my raspy breathing as a backup singer. Minutes ago, I dreaded being checked in on, but now it is the only thing keeping me going. Rolling back onto my stomach, I start to crawl again, desperate to get to my medicine cabinet. The strongest medication I have is aspirin but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Severe spasms cause me to stop crawling and lay there desperate for an end to this misery. I'm trembling all over and freezing despite being covered in sweat. I wish whoever the city is sending would just get here already. Forcing myself to keep going despite my weak state, I finally find myself in the kitchen. Looking up at the cabinets, I find that I have a problem. Somehow I have to stand up to get into the cupboards. Looking around I see chairs on the other side of the room, but I can't even stand so I know I won't be able crawl to the chair, propel myself up, and walk to the medicine cabinet. There is no way that can happen. I suppose I can try to reach up to some shelving and pull myself up. I just have to hope that both me and the shelves are strong enough.

Shifting to a sitting position, I raise my right hand above my head. As though I've been zapped by lightning, I fall backwards, screaming louder than ever before and clutching my head tightly. I pull myself into a ball, just wanting the pain to stop. Screaming is the only way to help alleviate the pain and although the noise is worsening my headache, I'm unable to stop. Although chills still race over me, a flash of heat makes it feel as though my ears are burning off. Tears stream down my face and my voice cracks.

Suddenly the room is bathed in green light. I'm unable to control my body in order to look around for the cause of the light. A white blob enters my range of vision but I'm unable to figure out what it is. Pressure is put on my shoulder and a sharp pain enters my arm briefly. Abruptly, my shaking stops and the pain in my head subsides a little. My arms are moved but I'm now unable to feel them. I feel a swaying motion but it no longer bothers me. My eyes feel heavy and I let them close. Another flash of green light. My brain has began to shut down. This is it.

Wow! This is intense :) If you notice any mistakes or want me to add something, make sure to comment. Remember to vote to!!! Thank you to all my readers!