The Higher Define (2018)

15

When I wake up, there is a dark figure that looms just before my bed. It takes me everything to not scream for help as I instantly leap out from the covers, positioning myself in a stance of defence.

I blink away the tired fuzz that dances across my vision from the sleep and it takes me a moment to see that it is Friday who stands across me. Though his body language tilts towards lazy and bored, his eyes roam my figure, examining me with careful scrutiny.

For a while, it stays like this between us- both examining one another in this silence and waiting for the other to commence the conversation. It is only when I feel my impatience bubbling up in my chest that I speak.

"What the hell are you doing in my room?"

His lips twist into a nasty smirk and his eyes harden.

"I think it's very funny how they say that you're the best of this year's batch when all you seem to me is completely ordinary."

"You're not answering the question." I hiss, injured from his remark. What does that have to do with anything? Sure- I may be the best but I don't have to constantly prove it. After all, it's etched in my code.

Friday pulls his arms from behind his back to reveal what he has been hiding for the past few seconds.

I let out a gasp.

Two bottles of my pills lie in his hands. His fingers are curved around the plastic tightly with a suggestion that he might be more than unwilling to give them back.

"I'll answer your question when you answer mine," Friday states smoothly, satisfaction sweeping along his cruel features, "What are these for, Aspen?"

I open my mouth to answer before it dawns on me that I don't have a response for him. Not because I don't want to tell him why- no, I would very much like to get the pills back on any accord.

Truth be told, I don't know why I need the pills either. All I understand is that without them, my entire body will ache. A burning pain will slowly spread throughout the length of my figure and it is a torment so terrible, I think it leads right to death.
I have only ever experienced this burning sensation once in my life, with the exception of yesterday's slight ache. I had forgotten to take my pill- it had to be force-fed to me at the eleventh hour, barely saving me.

But never have I asked to know why I will go through this should I not take my pill.

I stare at Friday, at a loss for words. His eyes shine with an intimidating gleam and it is all I can do to not ram into him head first or attack him.

"Take your time to form an answer that actually appeases me, Aspen. I can wait for as long as it will take you." He smiles in an infuriating manner which sends a wave of anger rushing over my body.

It doesn't help that the pain is starting to set and take hold inside my body. The hollow thud that grows into a burning sensation, that makes it feel like my skin is on fire.

"Give me the pills, now." I say and my voice comes out as a hoarse croak as I start towards Friday, reaching out for the bottle that contains the capsules to my salvation.

He takes a step back, almost amused by my pathetic, desperate motion.

Slowly, he turns his head towards me, letting me get a full view of the look in his eyes.

"Fun," He lets the word come out in a slow way, enunciating it perfectly, "Don't you think this is fun, Aspen?"

I don't know. I don't have an answer to his question. The world is too busy spinning and my vision is too hazy for his games.

"C'mon! It's not nearly as enjoyable when you don't answer me!" Friday chants with a silly sing-song tone. I respond with a sluggish swear and make a mad grab for the pill that is trapped in the curve of his palm.

It takes a lot of effort but the words form on my tongue and falls from my lips.

"W-what do you get out of doing this?" I don't even think I can hear myself. The elements of my room are blurring into one. I can't find Friday's face and the lights overhead and the electricity that this room buzzes with is becoming too much.

I struggle to make out a look of sarcastic pity on his face.

"Didn't I already tell you the answer to that?" There is mock amusement in his reply. In this instance, my hazy vision clears up, just for a second.

My body fills with anger as my hand makes contact with his cheek.

There is a sharp sound of skin against skin as pain flares up my arm. I know that he drops the container because I recall swooping down towards it in relief, plucking it from the ground and turning the cap.

In his moment of surprise, I shove the pill in my mouth and swallow it, ignoring the way it goes down roughly. It's better than this feeling of pain that controls my body.

My vision grows sharp as the pain disappears. I snatch up the second container that he dropped earlier and fold my arms before my chest, furious.

He still looks shocked and I feel a sense of satisfaction when I see a patch of red that blossoms along the cheek where I slapped him.

There's no need to exchange any words. The anger that burns passionately in his eyes is enough, mirroring exactly how I feel.

"Get out of my room." I snap.

He doesn't need to be told twice.