IDENTITY-SWAPPED

chapter 9: ominous eyes

I looked over the tower. Everything was super dark. Through the horizon, I could make out a forest, but below that, there was nothing. Like an empty void. It gave me an unsettling feeling. I jumped when I heard a phone ring. I reached into my pockets but I didn't have my cell phone. I looked behind me, and in the center of the room, next to a floor hatch (which I suppose is the door to the outside "world") was a phone. One of those old ones with a spinny thing to pick the number. Except... the spinny thing was gone. I approached the phone slowly while also keeping a close eye on the door. I gulped as I sit down... and answer the phone.
(Static)
Dream: "h... hello?"
(Stay.... away.... (static) windows)
I stared off into space for a second. I stared towards the ground and I was sure I was tearing up by now. Slowly I forced my head to look up. (THUNK!) as my eyes met the window, I saw a misshapen hand print on the other side of the glass. I felt fear build up in the pit of my stomach. I hung up the phone when all I could hear was static.
Dream: "ok. (Heavy breathing) ok. (Deep breaths)... everything's fine... everything's going to be ok."
I thought about standing up. And going over to the window to... check it out. I tried to stand up, but my legs felt too weak to stand. I couldn't get up.
Dream: "ok. Ok. No no nope it's fine. I'm fine. Just got a little startled..."
(Phone ringing)
Dream: "I don't wanna."
(Phone ringing)
Dream: "I really don't wanna."
(Phone ringing)
Dream: "please hang up."
(Phone ringing)
Dream: "ok. Fine... (pick up) h-hello?"
(Static)
Outside I heard a piercing unnatural scream like some... creature wailing in extreme pain.
(Did you.... hear that?) (hang up)
Dream "..." (puts down phone.)
I looked towards the window where the hand print was. I took a good look around. I was surrounded by a line of windows from all directions. I think I'm on top of some sort of tower. The windows looked thick, which was... good? But then I turned my attention to the only exit out of here... the door. (No way)

I took deep breaths. It's been a while since anything's happened. Well... anything notable anyways. The wooden room I was in would occasionally make some creeks and sounds but it was never quiet. I finally worked up the courage to walk around again. I made my way to the window. It was still dark. Through the window I made out the natural sounds of a forest. Leaves blowing in the wind. Night sounds.... breaking branches. In any other context it actually would have seemed pretty peaceful.
(Phone ringing)
Dream: "sigh. Spoke too soon."
(Pick up)
Dream: ".... hello?"
(Don't. Open. The. Door.)
I felt my face scrunch up in an odd position.
Dream: "wha-what...!?"
(The door. Don't. Open it.)
(Hang up.)
Dream: "why would I open the..."
(MULTIPLE BANGING ON THE DOOR!!!)
Dream: "never mind. I don't wanna know."
The banging continued for hours. I was almost tempted to open it just to get it over with. I held my hands to my ears and closed my eyes tightly hoping for it to be over soon. But eventually, everything was quiet again.
(Phone rings)
Dream: "... yah. What is it this time?"
(They know. You're here.)
Dream: "yah. I noticed."
(Look. Down.)
Dream: "sigh. Ok."
(Hang up)
I stood up from my spot and walked over to the window. And looked down. Below me, where there was just a void of darkness before, stood billions of blinking eyes all bloodshot read, though a few had alternating colors and various sizes. No sounds but the natural sounds of the forest could be heard. It was surreal and definitely creepy. I walked back to my spot next to the phone. This time I picked up the phone before it rang and I waited. And waited. And waited. And then... IT spoke up.
(Would you... come back... for me?)
I was speechless. Out of everything else, I definitely wasn't expecting that. Ok... time for some questions of my own.
Dream: "who are you? Where are you?"
(The blue eyes. Amount the eyes. I see. Can't. Touch.)
Dream: "you're one of them? Those other eyes?"
(No. Came here. Like you. Didn't escape. Was. Taken.)
Dream: "are you trying to help me escape?"
(Yes. Must go now. Must rest. One day.)
Dream: "one day?"
But he already hung up. Is one day how long I'm going to be stuck here for? Who was he? Where there other people besides us that where trapped here? Did they escape? Did anyone escape? (Sniff) I'm going to be stuck here forever.