PERFECT PERIL; J. HALE [3]

ONE; DEAD

THROUGH MY CLOSED lids I could feel the heat of the sun shining through my drawn blinds. It danced on my face, tingling every most nerve that it touched. The slight wind that gently whistled through my bedroom signalled the window was still ajar - it was slight, but it was there. I could hear the soft crackling of electricity that emitted from the socket underneath my dressing table. The watch that I threw away 2 years ago struggled to tick beneath my bed. My fingertips brushed the cold duvet, I fluttered my eyes open, squinting at the sudden light.

Staring at the ceiling, I noticed how badly it needed repainted - all these cracks and imperfections that I never noticed before. Faintly, I could hear a neighbors blender hum in the distance. I pulled my hand up to my face, patting a bruised spot on my neck.

I froze. Fingers lingering on what felt like dried paint.

Sitting up, I felt great.

My eyes wandered around the room, seeing more beautiful colours and shapes than I had ever seen before. My lips curling into a genuine smile. The paint though, where could it have come from? Standing up. My stomach dropped, realising what it was.

My dark, dried blood covered the bed, travelling to the floor and soaking the carpet. Looking down at my shirt, I could clearly see it was drenched too. Daring to look at the mirror, I tried to remember what had happened previously. Nothing.

The mirror reflected back at me a picture confusion. My clothes were covered in blood, my neck ached and seemed to be the culprit but there lay no cut, scratch or any kind of scar. Taking in my appearance; my skin, as pale as a sheet of paper, hard as a rock. Porcelain. My eyes, oh god my eyes...crimson red. Like fresh blood.

I heard Bella move downstairs before she even got off the couch. "Hey Scar - what do you want for breakfast?" She wouldn't understand. How could she not even know? She got off the couch and stepped onto the bottom step. My bedroom rushed past me and suddenly I was at my door, holding it closed for fear she would barge in. "Scar?" Drumming her fingers on the banister, I had to say something.

"Um, nothing!" Pausing and covering my ears, I was far too loud for my sensitive ears. "I'm not feeling well" I spoke normally this time as she had managed to come halfway up the stairs.

"You sure? I'm coming up"

I could sense that she was getting really worried about me, I definitely made it sound like something was wrong. I hope with all my might that she calms down, thinks that I'm actually not well and believes me. Bella, it's fine, just be calm please.

Somehow, it worked.

"Okay, cool" back down and onto the couch.

If I could cry, I would. Panic overwhelmed me as I hastily ripped the covers off my bed, mopping up what was left on the floor too. Into the washing basket. Closing the window, I carefully stripped off and put on a new set of clothes. My phone buzzing in my pocket made me jump through the roof - somehow feeling it ten times more intense.

"Hello?"

"Oh my god I'm so glad to hear you're voice! Are you okay? Alice had a vision that something happened and then you disappeared and we all just thought something bad had happened but thank god you're alright" Jasper rushed down the phone, clearly in a panic. I could hear Alice shuffle nervously back and forth in the background. Esme was painting I think.

"Look, Jasper. Something did happen and I'm not quite sure what to do"

I waited for a reply. "Do you need me to come get you?"

"Yes, no! I don't know. I'm just going to say it and please don't think I'm crazy because I so hope that it isn't real but I really think it is and I'm kind of freaking out right now becau-"

"Scarlett" he stopped me, thank god. "Just tell me, it can't be that bad. Are you hurt?"

"No, not exactly"

"Define not exactly, love"

I swallowed, mentally preparing myself for what was about to come out of my mouth.

"Jasper, I'm dead"