What Was Missing

Twelve: -Maddy-

...Black. I'm swinging on vines of ebony, in an all-dark world. How... how did I get here? The last thing I remember is walking into Jacob's house.

Like a monkey, I feel the jet-black trees rushing by at impossible speeds as I fling through rope after rope. Each vine seeps into my hand as I clench it, making dropping to my death implausible, but fear still courses through me. It's so unnatural, so wrong, yet I keep going...

...But how did I get here...?

Black tree after black log flicker by as I rush through the air, and I gradually have to land on the occasional branch. When I do, I lean down and then spring up to propel myself high into the air, perfectly landing upon or reaching the next handhold. It's incredible: jumping and swinging at superhuman speeds, spinning in the air and never missing. It's so amazing, so... beautiful- until I see the tentacle. In the near distance, I begin to view a wriggling, black spike with a width about that of my thumb, forming out of the sky, and slowly floating towards me. So small, so gradual, but it fills me with terror, like a parasite about to inch under my skin.

I realize I'm going too fast to stop, and as I speed from tree to tree, I decide only to leap, avoiding the vines. Maybe I can slow down... No, I know if I slow I'll fall. Would that be a better fate, though?

Closer, closer- I notice I'm crying now, black tears dripping onto the floor so far below. Suddenly, I'm struck with a fit of nausea, and I expel black vomit down below. The tentacle just isn't right. Too close, too close, I don't want it, I don't want it-

The tendril suddenly surges towards me. Wriggling into my chest, it suspends me in midair, a doll tied by a noose. No...

I raise my head and scream, piercing the fabric of the world. Everything goes white... Too bright, too bright! Is this the end...? No.

Like a setting sun, the light dims, and a brown-walled and carpeted room fades into view. My mind feels a hundred times clearer, and I have to wonder how much of that was a dream. Maybe I fell asleep at Jacob's? No, I wouldn't sleep at the door. Raising my head, I look at my surroundings.

I'm laying in a bed, calming pinkish sheets snug against my body, engulfing me in an endless warmth. Not bad; I want to move, but then again, I don't. It's so warm under the covers. I'm filled with longing to keep laying down, cozy and safe forever... Why not? I don't think I have anything to do today. I roll over, getting into a more comfortable position. Why not go back to sleep? I think I will...

Suddenly, a piercing buzz fills the room- an alarm clock. Looking to my left, I see the screaming thing on my dark-wooden side table, and slam my hand down on the top glowing button. Way to ruin a nap.

As the noise ceases, I slowly begin to realize the full extent of my situation. Last night... Memories of the evening before shoot through my head, and I fall backwards onto my sheets. I was knocked out, and I woke up in a house I don't recognize. I have no idea where I am, and all of my friends are gone. Did I go into the Iss...?

I finally glance up, and get a good look at the room. It has two shaded windows, a light beige dresser to the left, and a door closed tight between the side table and furniture. A distinct smell of lavender wafts out from my fluffy pillow, and I have to admit to myself, I would love to own this house.

Pushing back my sheets, I stretch, yawn, flick my eyes to the left and right, and climb out of bed. It feels so much colder now that I'm up; I hug my arms to my chest, shivering in my soft yet thin clothing, and look down for a moment. I realize I'm wearing pink, fuzzy bunny slippers and red pajama pants from my hip to my feet. How...?

A long mirror sits an inch or two above the dresser, and I go take a look at myself. I have mild bed-head, and I'm wearing clothes I don't recognize, but I'm still me. I glance away, and wearily ease open the door. Luckily, nothing moves to attack me. Maddy, one, house, zero. Time to see where I really am. Taking a peep down the hallway, I confirm it empty and tip-toe down towards the faint light at the end.