I ran into the kitchen and fell again on the cold stone tiles. Then I got up abruptly and stumbled to the sink. I scrubbed and scratched and wiped and washed. My hands would not be clean of the blood. His blood.
I shrank down and cried. But the crying did not end. The tears fell down my face until could not bother to wipe them.
I barely heard the bang because of my loud moans. But I did. So I tried to walk to the door yet in the end I more or less dragged myself there.
Behind the door was another horror. The police officer! I did not move or show emotion - which was becoming more difficult by the second. They had followed me.
“Miss may I come in? I really think you should go to the hospital” he asked. I glared at him with hurtful eyes. Then, I stepped back and slammed the door. And the crying began again.
But no tears fell.
I couldn’t cry for him. Not when he didn’t care for me. However, I did care for him. What would happen now?
There was a loud thump against the door and I scurried into the kitchen again.
“Please miss, let me in. I am sorry but we need to talk.” The officer shouted.
“NO!” I screamed. No, no, no. I repeated. Over and over and over.
No, I couldn’t do it. Couldn’t live.
I reached in the drawer and pulled out a knife. Sharp and long.
My mind suddenly wandered to my father. He had committed suicide after my mother’s death. Was this what he had felt? I was calm…no, I was ready. So when the cold blade made contact with my weak wrist I didn’t hesitate and cut my skin.
It was deep but no pain came. So I sliced my skin again. This time I did yell. Out of anger. I deserved pain and suffering. Why? Why was I immune to this suicide attempt? I wanted to go. Please, was the last word I said as I fell to the floor and I was consumed into darkness.
When I opened my eyes again I was greeted by three faces. I scurried backwards knocking my skull against a wall. “You ok?” one of them murmured. The voice was full of sincerity and…remorse? What was going on here?
The owner of the voice turned out to be a rather dashing guy. He had sandy hair and alluring hazel eyes – which I realised, were staring right at me.
“Er…yeah.” I choked. I can’t believe I actually formed words after what just happened…
Gradually, I peeked at my wrists. On my left wrist were two very visible scars. I felt embarrassed and frightened as the boy saw them too.
It didn’t make sense. These scars shouldn’t be here, they were made only yesterday.
Was it yesterday?
“H…how long have I…I been asleep?” I groaned as I lifted myself off the ground. “I don’t know” he answered but when he saw the look of confusion on his face, he gestured behind him and said “We’ve all only woken up – you were last.” I gazed over broad shoulders and saw what he meant as ‘we’.
Several other figures rose from the floor and shuffled towards us. As I watched them all I noticed that we all seemed to appear around the same age.
“Do you know what happened to us?” one of the girls asked. I feebly shook my head. When she nodded she turned away and so did a few off the others.
“Well er, I am Derek by the way. You are?” he enquired. I processed his request quickly. Should I be giving my name to a stranger? He didn’t look bad – not bad at all, I thought. I blushed at my thoughts and when he chuckled my heart stopped. Oh god this was embarrassing!
“It’s ok...take your time. We’re all a little lost at the moment.” He murmured and placed his hand carefully on my shoulder. This only caused me blush even further. A girl stepped next to Derek and rolled her eyes at him. “Leave her alone Derek. Go bother someone else.”
“This is Abigail who seems to have given me an excellent introduction.” Derek said. Abigail had reddish-brown hair which was harmonised by her coffee-like eyes. She was taller than Derek but that just added to her beauty because she had such wonderful long legs that complimented her curvy body.
Although she was wearing only a baggy, three-quarter sleeved purple tee that fell off one tanned shoulder and faded navy jeans, she made that look extremely stylish. She muttered a ‘whatever’ and Derek watched her walk away.
My thoughts were interrupted when Derek exclaimed “So Anna, meet everyone. Everyone this Anna.” I forced a faint smile onto my face – which wasn’t echoed by all. “Ok so the guys are Cameron, Taylor, Mark, Dayo, Nico and Jamie, and the girls are Samantha, Piper, Charlie, Karoline, Ingrid and obviously you’ve met Abigail, then over there is E” I saw an Asian girl nod towards us. It was an odd name but somehow it suited her.
They all went back to…whatever they were doing in this silent, dark room and that left me with Derek. All I wanted to do was curl up and cry…or if fate would have it die. But I don’t think I deserve that kindness anymore. “I’m kinda tired.” I lied and that caused Derek to raise an eyebrow. Probably because I had been sleeping for god knows how long before. Thankfully, he understood and I was left alone in the shadowy corner with all my troubles and all the nightmares I was yet to face.
