Terminally Abstract

Chapter 12

"They say either you're out or you're in, but you're on. They say either you're out or you're swim, on your own."- Breton Got Well Soon

The last bit of light evaporated from existence, sending a chill into the room; however, another appearing at the opposite side.

Frightened, yet curious, I set forth into exploration. Taking tiny steps, my hand sliding against the wall, I eventually made it to the bright beam. The blue sky stood vast before me, shining its heavenly rays upon my face.

My feet started to slide into the floor with each step. My shoes filled with grainy sand, sending a twist of disgust to my face. A heat wave flew to my face and my back grew moist; I turned back and sought the room once more, but it had merged with the wind, out of sight.

I shook my head and pressed forward, feeling hotter and hotter with every movement. I wiped the sweat dripping to my eyelids with my shirt. I had no reason, no benefit in going on, yet I kept walking. That's all I could do now.

Remnants of the last echo lingered in my mind. Had I imagined it? Was this all a dream? Why couldn't I wake up? Where am I? The questions continued bubbling. Can I go home again? Was that my mother talking? Let me wake up! I want to go home! I want to see Arthur!

I clenched my hands. "Damn it! Just shut up!" The voices grew quiet.

I took a deep breath. It seemed as if the worst of times would send my head spiraling out of control. I was glad I could pull the reigns though, but for how much longer?

I watched the heat waves simmering off the ground, noticing a dark figure lingering above it. Its feet scraped against the ground, a sound of static increasing as it grew near. It let out a strangled cry, as if calling out to me.

My heart beat fast.

"My dream. The boy. He's here." I realized.

I blinked. He grew closer, the static stinging my eardrums.

Blinking once more, it had disappeared from sight. Maybe I was hallucinating. I stepped forward.

SHRRRRIIILLLLLLL

It was behind me.

"FUCK!" I jumped and tripped over myself, kicking the sand before me. It only stepped closer and closer, stretching its lanky arm towards me, pointing. His arm dripped in the consistency of oil, his odor being charcoal.

I flipped to my stomach and stood up; I began running as fast as I could, only sinking into the sand more and more.

I looked for shelter, some sort of coverage to hide, but hadn't found any. My mind paced quickly. I panicked. There seemed to be no other way out. I peered behind myself to find him only walking faster than I could run. Closer. Closer.

The only way was to fight back.

I twirled and scooped a handful of sand, hurling it to its face. There was no reaction. The sickly pair of sunken eyes peered over me curiously, watching me like game. I widened my eyes in horror, it's lips like radio waves ripped to form a full mouth. The sound reached me like the tearing of flesh.

My feet started to heave until I couldn't trudge anymore. Instead of moderately sinking, I was already knee deep in sand. Fuck, quicksand. I thought. I hesitated to move, remembering the common tips to escape from this natural trap. Yet the monster didn't, standing above me, cocking it's head to the side.

It bent it's knees until it hit the ground with a soft thud. It's hands glooped onto my hair and my ears with a soft vibration; tingling my skin. I tried to whip his arms away, trying desperately to strangle free, but my hands only clung to it's arms.

SHRIEK

My scream matched its own, screeching in unison. It's soupy liquid started down my shirt to my skin, growing sticky and cold. My veins were turning into a soot color; my mind flew blank and my sight grew white.

"ZZZZZZZZZZZZ." it hummed.

CRACKLE

"Michael? Michael? Can you hear-"

It's Arthur! But, then where am I? This is a dream!

"ZZZZ ARRTHURR!" the being lifted its head to the sky. His voice sounded exactly like mine.

"Michael! I'm glad you can hear this!"

"ARTHUR. IM SCARED."

"I know, we are going to get you out of here. You're in a coma, Michael. It's been a week. You need to wake up, now."

"ARTHUR."

"Michael, they've already implanted the chip. They couldn't do two surgeries! If you don't wake up soon-"

He's using his invention. On me? Oh no, I don't want to be a robot!

"ARTHURRRR. KILL ME! KILL ME! KILL ME! I DONT WANT TO BE LIKE THIS ANYMORE."

No! I want to live! Please, it's not me! My voice was silence.

"KILL ME PLEASE, ARTHUR!"

"Michael..."

"ARTHUR, PLEASE"