The Skylar Experiment : Dead Ending (second draft)

Chapter Sixty - Not A Bieber Fever

Let me know if I should put more efforts into my titles. I just write whatever I think of, but if it breaks the mood or is bothersome, don't hesitate. My goal isn't to turn this into a comedy. Hormonal Riley is back, so let's welcome her. 

RILEY

MY WORLD SPUN AFIRE.

Afire with lava and sweat and unbreathable heat.

My slickened hair stuck to my temples, my night shirts were constantly drenched. Distorted faces shifted in and out from the swallowing darkness. Hands touched me, my forehead, called my name, rubbed my shoulders. A soothing, wet rag dampened my cheeks.

 Voices. Murmurs,. Unintelligible words. They whispered softly in my ear, but it was lagged. 

I would glance into a corner, and there they were again. The boys with their chalky lips and lifeless eyes boring into mine. They never moved. They never spoke. They watched, hoping I'd join their end. Dad's face warped in front of me, like the surface of a lake. I cried all their names, curled into a ball as if they'll ever leave me. 

The hands, they were there sometimes. And other times, they were not. 

My body and mind slipped from my command. They rebelled through rages of fire and skull-throbbing and stomach somersaults.

The painkillers didn't work. I forgot what hunger felt like. I had the impression I'd been bedridden for weeks, barely keeping track of who came in my room. Luc's smell of citrus and soap reassured me, his tone grounding me for a while.

I emerged from an antsy sleep, incapable of enduring the furnace within me a moment longer. The glorious snowing outside beckoned to me, promising to cool me down. I stumbled out of bed, falling to the floor but using the foot of the bed to haul myself back up. My arms were weak, my knees trembled.

Lights and dots blinded my vision as I dragged myself along the wall to steady my balance. The whole world blurred, and my thoughts had no end or beginning. Nothing rational or consistent held there long enough.

I pushed through the fog, waddled down the stairs and made it to the door. As soon as I swung it open, icy air blessed my limbs, blowing over the clammy pyjama shirt.

I grinned stupidly and slogged into the snow barefoot. I hadn't moved and stood in forever. My step was funny. My arms flailed, but the thick, cushiony snow appeased my combusting skin. I had no more energy past another row of trees. I just fell into the icy heap with a relieved sigh.

I squinted at the piercing glow of the sun peeking through the canopy. A grey sky loomed ahead, but the clouds rolled peacefully. It was so beautiful. Their movement was dizzying, so much so that I had to close my eyes. 

I inhaled air so cold it filled my lungs and froze my nose. If only I could stay here all day...

In the distance, Luc called my name, not sounding merry.

I lifted my neck to see him marching, his backpack slung over one shoulder, his lips drawn in a thin line. He stopped over me.

"Christ, the snow is melting under you."

I grinned sheepishly. "I'm really hot."

He snorted and kneeled. "That you are."

I blew out a breath, feeling refreshed now. I argued when Luc hoisted me up.

"Stop, no..." I fumbled aimlessly, but only touched steel muscles. Of course, that did nothing to help. "I feel so good here."

He chuckled. The thrumming in his chest vibrated across my skin, sending unwelcome shivers that raised the tiny hairs across my body.