i_was_there: A Minecraft Story

chapter_fifteen: Gaze

"Eve?"

Mom? Mom!

I got out of bed and immediately went to my computer. I don't have much time, I have to make the most out of this dream. "I'm awake, mom! I'll come down in a few!"

"Alright, honey! I'll leave the laundry by your door, it's your turn!"

Perfect.

I tapped my nails anxiously on the table, waiting for the message to pop up. I don't know what that Vanessa person is going to tell me, but I hope it's something important. I hope she's not just a fan, I hope she can help me or something.

The message popped up.

Vanessa
>> Hello? Is this Evangeline?

<< It is.

A different approach. Hopefully she'll cut to the chase.

Vanessa
>> Great! My name is Vanessa, I am an autobot working for Mojang, also known as the company that created the game Minecraft. We are pleased to announce that your feedback entry has been chosen to be this year's UP-test winner. Your prizes shall be shipped to your Mojang account and home address in a few minutes. Thank you for your support and congratulations!

I furrowed my brows.

What the hell is this? UP-test? What the hell is that? I've never heard of that word in my entire life, and I definitely did not enter some contest.

Prizes? Shipped in a few minutes? What are these—

Just as I was reading the message for the second time, I suddenly felt my body being weight down. I let out a gasp and held tightly on the table. My body is so heavy, I can barely hold myself up. My hands are slowly slipping off, gripping the edge. My chest is constricting, my lungs are burning.

I. . . I can't breathe!

I tried opening my mouth to scream for help, but nothing came out. Without thinking, I forced myself up and slammed my fist on the table. I punched and punched, ignoring the pain just to make noise but the table wasn't making any. I grabbed the keyboard and pushed it off the table but it made no noise whatsoever either. I smashed my computer screen, threw my stapler through the window, tried everything to make noise, but before I could run out and look for help my knees already gave in. My eyes are tearing up, my vision is blurring, blinking off and on again as my vision swirled. My body gave in, lying limp on the ground. I can't feel my limbs, I can feel myself about to pass out—

But I. . . can feel something. Something. . . Different.

Just as my I was about to pass out, I realized what it was. This is— air! Air is forcefully flowing through my lungs. I breathed in as much as I could, greedily taking as many breaths as I can and force myself awake. My vision is still pitch black and my limbs are completely numb, but I can hear distant voices. Very distant voices.

". . . Waking up!"

I know that voice.

"What are. . . Doing?!"

A stinging pain on my left cheek made my eyes open in an instant. I gasped, forcing my eyes to stay open as wide as I can. I'm so dizzy that I can feel my eyes constantly rolling to the back of my head.

"Breathe," Steve. He sounds exhausted, his voice is hoarse. He cleared his throat before repeating the same word again, and again, and again, as if he thought I couldn't hear it. A hand pushed the hair sticking to my forehead up. "Just breathe."