When dreams become nightmares

Chapter 7 - Garfield

A kick of oxygen filled my lungs, my heart beating gently in my ears. I opened my eyes, but the darkness stole my sight. I glanced around, however, I saw nothing. I lifted a hand in front of me and it rested on a cold metallic surface. I took a sharp breath. I pushed my hands out to my sides , until they reached the same surface either side of me. I traced the walls with my fingers, revealing the tiny size of the space. I closed my eyes, despite it making no difference to what I could see. I slid slightly down the metal, until I met the end with my feet. I was trapped, trapped in a pitch black cage with metal walls at all sides. I kicked my leg out at the wall. It made a loud clang that rang in my ears. I repeated the movement, but harder. A blinding light slipped through, blinding me. I explored with my feet, feeling the edges of the metal, before feeling the light door swinging open at my touch. I shuffled down toward the light. My legs fell slowly out the end and touched floor. I released a breath, sliding the rest of my body from the darkness. My eyes slowly began to focus on the metallic style room I stood in, bright white lights burn my eyes. A single metal table stood in the centre of the room, a white sheet covering the shape beneath it. A metal stand stood next to it, metal knives and tools lay on it, on top of a metal plate, prepared for use. I took a shaking step toward the work table, studying the shapes that were held under the white sheet, the bumps moulded in unnatural distortions. I grabbed the edge with my fingers, wrapping them around the sheet. I peeled back the material to reveal to bright white eyes staring back, pale faced and scraggly blue hair, with multiple piercings sitting its ears, nose and lips, a cold dead stare tearing into me. I let go of the sheet in shock. My eyes unable to detach themselves from the slightly open mouth gaping at me. I reached for the sheet, but couldn't find the edge in a struggle to hide the deathly stare.  I looked away, the sudden realisation of breathlessness. The cold crept up my bare skin like swarming insects. I looked down at my bare legs and feet against the metal floor, goose bumps trailing across my skin. I was naked. And cold. I dragged a hand through a clump of matted hair, that latched onto my fingers as they passed. My mouth felt dry as I breathed. "What the hell are you doing?" A voice said, loudly, behind me. I turned around, skidding in my feet. A woman around fifty stared back at me, a long, white lab coat draping down onto the floor. "What are you doing in here? This is a restricted area!" I could only stare. I didn't know why I was there, I didn't know it was a restricted area, I didn't know anything.

"She's with me." A voice said, calmly, from behind me. I turned my head. He stood inches from me, sliding a large, fur coat over my bare shoulders. He gave a charming smile, his bright green eyes shimmering against his stunning white teeth. The woman glared, but his glowing presence seemed to ease her fury. His face had a certain appeal to it, his pitch black hair flopping gracefully above his eyes, full dark lips and brooding eyebrows.   He grabbed my shoulders and manuvered me towards the exit. "So Sorry to take up your time." He said, as we slid past her and entered the hallway. Once in the hallway, his manner changed, his laid-back attitude fell into a determined and direct presence. "We have to go." He said. It wasn't aggressive, it felt like a polite urge. He glanced at his watch. "We have about 3 mins to leave the building ore we are dead." He thought aloud. My feet skidded to a stop, pushed against his shuffling.

"Hang on," I started, "what is happening? Who are you? And why the hell are we dead?" I asked. He gave a harsh stare, before letting out a sigh.

"My name is Garfield, and I'm here to save your bacon. And we're not dead yet." He told me, clearly conscious of the time.

"Ok, well, why exactly does my bacon have to be saved?" I pushed. He groaned, losing time.

"Because of what you can do. Now, can we please go!" He directed his hand down the hall.

"How do I know I can trust you?" I pointed. His eyes showed a glimmer of despair as he rubbed his temples, impatiently.

"You don't have a choice, if we don't go in the next," he glanced at his watch, "1 minute and 37 seconds-"

"We're dead, I get it." I sighed. It was clear my options were limited. "Wait, who is trying to kill me?"

"Ugh! Are you serious? Can you just come with me? Why do have to know absolutely everything? And why can't you walk and talk? We literally have," another glance at the watch, "23 seconds, lets go." He stared, emotionally exhausted.

"That didn't really answer the question." I pointed.

"Give me strength." He muttered under his breath. "17 seconds, come on!" He pushed, offering his hand. I didn't want to, but then again I kinda did, I kinda needed to. I glanced back at the hall. "Come on." I wasn't convinced. "Please..." he whispered, urgently. I glanced towards him.

"Fine, lets go." I caved.