Emoni McLaris

Chapter Six: Awake In A Strange Place

Ugh.

That was an epic, albeit disturbing, dream.

It felt so real. I nearly feel dizzy, can almost sense abrasions on my skin. Actually, there are. I shoot up out of bed, not my bed, this isn't my bed. Why isn't this my bed? Rolling up my black pyjama pants, which I don't remember putting on, or even buying, I see scratches and gashes up my right leg.

Shit, that was real? It wasn't a dream? Oh, damn, so I must be in hospital. I'm in hospital, of course. Somewhere between Rivertown and Halls Gap. I could be anywhere, that's a long way.

This doesn't quite look like a hospital. Or not what I expected, at least. Never having been inside an actual hospital, this is strange. As if waking up somewhere I didn't go to sleep isn't strange enough. White walls, gold floor, trim and door. Aren't hospitals supposed to white? Or, like, light blue? The harsh white light blinds me.

My clothes have been changed. Do I feel violated? I don't know because isn't that part of the nursing/doctoring job? I suppose it would be hard to save someone's life with torn up clothing in the way.

It could very well still be Tuesday 7th, the day we were on our way to Halls Gap for the school camp.

Or it could be Wednesday, or Thursday, or Friday. There's no way of telling for sure how long I've been out. My head's confused. Should I be freaking out? Or should I feel safe, gratified, that someone came along and took us to hospital?

Oh I hope Ruby's alright. She must be somewhere close by. My feet make no noise on the cold and polished floor. There is no lock or handle on the door, so I push against it gently. It doesn't want to open so easily, so use a bit more force. Nope, nothing. I shove my whole body into it, and still, it doesn't budge. Maybe it's a pull door, not push? I try that, but I can't understand how one is supposed to open this damn door.

Perhaps we aren't. Not from the inside. Could it possibly be that only the doctors can open them? Maybe they have a key card or some sort of fancy techy lock on the outside. Is it voice activated?

"Open." I command of it. "Unlock." Still won't move. "Open sesame? Alohomora?" Okay, I'm really getting nervous now. Scared, even.

"Hello? Is someone there? I'm awake now and I can't open the door? Could I please get some help? Anyone?"

I'm stuck. I look around for another exit, or something else that could help me get out. I don't know what to look for, but even if I did, even if I had any idea, I wouldn't succeed. There's nothing here, apart from the bed. The bed that isn't mine.

Where am I? Where could I be? It's spacious enough in here, I suppose, but I'm trapped. I'm not claustrophobic, but I'm scared out of my mind. How long have I been here? How long will I be here? Will someone come get me?

My breathing turns rough, my chest tightens. It's so quiet and that scares me further. I guess there's nothing to do but sit down in a corner and endure through this approaching anxiety attack.

I can't organise my thoughts; 'I don't want to be here', 'Why am I here?', 'Where are the others are they okay?', 'What's going to happen to us?', 'What's going to happen to me?'

My mind is turning too fast for me to follow, so I try to concentrate on doing breathing exercises. Meditating, 5 seconds inhaling through the nose, 5 seconds exhaling through the mouth. In, out. In, out. Out through the nose, in through the mouth. Wait. No, that's not right. Damn, who knew breathing was so hard?

I finally calm down enough to be reasonable with myself. I reinforce the idea that I'm safe, and that I'll be home soon.

A hear sudden noises, and instead of my heart leaping out of my chest, it feels like it just went back into my spine.