Awake in a Coffin

Trois

How long have I been here? I was incapable of calculating since I cannot remember how I got here.

I tried to calm down by taking deep relaxing breaths. 

Breaths? I was bound to run out of oxygen soon. I had to act fast.

I swallowed my pride and digested courage as I knew the only way to find the answers to my questions was to keep searching. 

Not like I was seeing before, but I chose to close my eyes as my hands began exploring. I held my breath for some reason as my hands got lost further in the darkness. 

I ran my hands through the blood and I held back the tears. The breath escaped my lips as my finger touched the edge of something lightly. 

What was that?

I reached further. Trying to feel for its description. It was hard and had a frame of metal. I stretched further. caressing the object. It felt like a lighter. 

I gasped in relief. I felt some sort of hope. A chance to see in this abyss. 

I tried to pick it up but my fingers could barely grasp it. In order to get it, I had to reach my hand to my ankle that could not move easily from its position. 

After many failed attempts, I tried my best to reach my fingers towards the object.  My body ached at its current position. I bent abnormally in the confined area with my feet touching my back and my head hidden behind my shoulders. 

I cried out from the pain but finally caught the lighter. I held onto it tightly as I composed my disfigured body back in its rightful place. 

I felt awarded for my valiant effort as I had just accomplished something major. 

With my body filled with anxiety, I held the lighter firmly in my quivering hand. I quickly rolled my thumb against the jagged surface. The flash of sparks was like lightning. A short but beautiful moment.

Thank God it works!

I tried it again but just as before, it only sparked then fade. 

"No! No! No!" I cried out in exasperation.

"Please light. Please!" I tried over and over but it failed to stay lit. 

I shook it as I grew discouraged at my incessant failures. Then I felt cold liquid spurting on my face. I quickly closed my eyes but some went into my mouth. I gagged from the back of my throat and the vomit finally escaped as the same taste of unpalatable blood was absorbed on my tongue. 

The blood has gone into it thus its inability to light. I had to get it out and dry for it to light properly.

I hesitantly brought the leaking lighter towards my mouth. I reluctantly placed my mouth over it to dry it out by suction. 

As I slurped it, I spat out the blood

Trying my best not to debilitate my taste buds with its blandness.

The experience of having cold, thick, insipid blood in my mouth was overwhelming. I tried to control  myself and not throw up again.

I repeated this action until nothing came out. It was finally dry.

I breathed profusely as the task tired me out a little. I then tried the lighter.

Hoping my resolute efforts were not in vain.

And there was light.