Dumbfounded

Details in the Fabric

Prologue

        Life is a tapestry of events, good or bad. As long as we live, these events are continually sewn into a magnificent creation that ends with a single fine knot.

        Life…

        How do you call this life?

        When everything you ever wished for will be ruined by a grave mistake.

        A mistake that emanates destructive ripples, taking you unprepared long before you know it.

        With every crashing wave that devours everything in its path, with all those hopes and dreams, leaving nothing but debris.

        And as it calms, you find yourself bedraggled on the shore, lifeless.

        Is this life?

        When everything you have is taken away from you?

        No. When everything you LOVE is taken away from you?

        When all the sacrifices and hardships you’ve been through become worthless?

        No. This is not life. I will not let this happen to me. I will pick up the pieces of what’s left of me and wake up from this nightmare.

        I know, someday, these will all make sense.

        As the sky clears with the ray of sunlight, you have to be quick, as another wave is yet to come. This time, you have to make sure you’re prepared, because this time, it might not leave you anything, even yourself.

Chapter 1

Marvel’s POV

        It’s coming. No. I don’t have enough time. Please, give me more time. No! I’m not ready. It’s coming. Oh God, no. Please no. Please. It’s too late… It’s too late. I gotta run. I have to run… I don’t wanna die yet… Please… Please! There! Please, help me! Help me! “Give me your hand!” says an unknown voice. I hold on to it, tightly… but mine’s slipping… Why? Why?! No! I guess it’s too late… It’s too late… My hand is slipping, but why is she smiling? My hands are stained blood red. No! No…no… It’s too late…I’m too late…

        I wake up grasping for air, eyes wide. I’m panting. My heart’s pounding. “It’s just a dream Marvel. It’s just a dream.” I tell myself, knowing it’s not just a dream, but a nightmare.  Sweat drips from all over my body.

        I looked at the crystal alarm clock at the bedside table, 3:18 am. I still have time to sleep, but decided to do otherwise. I am not going back there. I can’t.

        I head to the kitchen, opening the fridge for a glass of water. There. Better. I’m more relaxed now, but I must stay awake. I need to stay awake. I head back to my room, but as I pass by the receiving area, I notice the black grand piano, illuminated by the moonlight. It’s calling to me, waiting for me to play it again, but no. I must not give in.

        I ignored it and head to my study instead. I open my Macbook in an attempt to email a friend, ‘til I remember, I have no friends. They’re all gone.  So I read a book, Moby Dick, in an attempt to stay up and keep telling myself, “Do not give in to sleep. Do not give in to sleep. Do…not…give…in…” and I drift off.

            I woke up later than expected as the sunlight hit my face. Thankful I did not have another nightmare. I head back to my room. The music already resonates throughout the unit from the tiny box by the fireplace that holds the iPod. Every day, it plays automatically.