Linked

Chapter 13

[Casey's POV]

I woke up to my head pounding, my body shaking, and my vision blurring.

I decided to remain still until the symptoms died down and I could move. My vision came back into focus and my head wasn't throbbing as hard after a few minutes, but my stomach still felt awful, and I couldn't stop shaking. Even so, this situation was better than moments before, so I sat up and examined my body. I noticed I was no longer dressed in my clothes, but a small hospital-like gown. There were some bumps and bruises on my skin, but nothing too bad. Things were looking up until I located the large, dirty cut in my stomach from the sticker.

I leaned over and retched, realizing why I was so shaky.

Oh my goodness. That is definitely infected. What do I do? Exploring my surroundings further, I took in my new cell, yet again.

The entire room was empty. And that was saying something considering the room's size. It was about half the size of a gas station, or the whole upstairs level of a house. Huge compared to the size of the two other cells I'd inhabited. Anyhow, the room was empty, which is not something that seemed promising to me. The whole space was lit by only one flickering light which still left the corners of the area dark. Rather than trying to look for outside help with my wound, I took matters into my own hands and ripped off a piece of my gown.

I wiped most of the dirt from the cut and wrapped the cloth around the injury which had now taken on a discolored tone. Yikes, that is gonna cost me. But if I can stay alive until Liam gets here, I'll be okay- Oh no, Liam. Recognizing that I had moved to a new prison, I needed to act, and tried to contact him.

Liam? Liam, are you there?

No response.

Liam, please answer me. I need your help again.

Nothing.

Oh please, Liam don't be dead. I need you to save us. To save me.

Even though I knew my words were clear, an unsettling fear dawned on me. Maybe Liam wasn't coming. Maybe he tried and got hurt. Or maybe he really was... dead... The overwhelming loneliness and fear combined with my shaking, and I retched once more.

I'm stuck in this facility and there is nothing I can do about it. I'm already infected from the cut, and, assuming they won't feed me, I'll die of starvation before long. So what am I supposed to do?

With no one to answer that question and no will of my own, I chose to sit in the corner and think. After all, thinking is what I do- or used to- do best.

I stretched out my limbs and crept over to the nearest dusty corner. My body slid against the cool, smooth surface as I hunkered down to rest. My thoughts overtook my mind immediately, and questioned my predicament. What about the others? Are they alive? Is Liam? What did the Boss mean about having us tortured? Is this all I have left of my life? Is this all there is? And why, oh why did I have to fall that night? None of this would have happened if I had stayed home... But then I wouldn't have gotten to know Liam. My brain debated itself. Well, what happened, happened.  Now I just have to deal with it...

After a long contemplation, I drifted into a deep sleep. One that was more deep than all the other ones because it was on my own accord. I was no longer passed out or knocked unconscious to wake up to the unknown. I was just resting. Almost like I used to before this whole ordeal occurred... And in my most hopeless time, I found peace in giving in. I could almost smell the popcorn, and see the sunset above the storefronts.

~~~

The time to wake up came soon, and as I rolled over on the cement, I realized I didn't need to be awake.  What had woken me up?