To Shout Fire From The Heart

chapter V

I am back. Back in this chair that smells of old people. Back in a room filled with fluorescent lights. Back to my dad being in a hospital bed.

I walked into the room to see his face. It is at peace. If it were not for the beeping of the heart monitor, you would think he was dead. I do not want him to die, but I know he will, some day. Not now though there is still too much work to be done and there is still so much he must see.

I perish the thought before it brings tears to my eyes. I must be strong. Ive always have been. When mom left three years ago that was the last time I cried, and the first time I saw my dad cry. People tried to help, but to me it just felt like medaling. Next year no one asked, and the quiet is what I wanted most, and I got it.

I take a deep breath and I walk out of the room. I am in the middle of the hallway and both left and right to me are doors upon, doors upon, doors each with something in it, and something without. The halls dash like a labyrinth, a labyrinth that you can easily get lost in. I wonder where grandma was. If she got lost in this labyrinth.

I feel the roar in my stomach. I investigated my pockets to find a five-dollar bill. Grandma must oof put the five-dollar bill in my pocket when I was sleeping. Sleeping, the colors and smell come back to me as a faint dream, yes because it was a dream. But dreams do not feel as real. What she did to my hand was too real then I have ever experienced in a dream. Was it a dream? My stomach brings me back. Back to my five-dollar bill.

I walk down the halls turning corners, passing doors and nothing, no one can be seen. I finely made it to a vending machine. Its treats and snacks being contained by the iron coil and the plastic glass that is a window to these treasures. But all I want to do is eat one. I look at a candy bar covered in peanuts and chocolate. Something with high protein will be good to eat. I do not know if I am going to be here all night. There is not a clock around for me to see what time it was.

I typed in the number that the candy bar was under, to see how much it was. It cost one dollar. Okay, good, I can get five of these. I put in the number of the candy bar and the amount I wanted. I waited there one by one to see the pieces of brown plastic fall. All five of them hit the bottom of the machine. I bend down to grab the bars. I was in an awkward position to get them. I put the bars of chocolate in my pocket. I stood up to face the vending machine only to see a face melting with black tar and yellow teeth, with blood shot eyes. I turned in a flash and it was gone. I saw a shadow turn a corner and without thinking I ran after the beast.

I was fast, but I could barely keep speed, it dashed and turned trying to get me off its back or trying to get me lost. I was not going to let this thing get away. This obviously had something to do with that dream. Events like this always happen in movies, books, and plays. The character is shocked that stuff like this happens, ignores the signs of possibility, ignoring them self. The sound of its footsteps sounds as if flesh or mud is hitting a cold stone. My sneakers squeak with each turn, leaving behind skid marks in the wake. But I will not let it get away.

Turned a corner and, BAM, the sound of a closet door closing. It is in there, I know. It is a dead end and all that is in front of me is this wooden door. I could have turned around and tried and find my way back to my dad's room, but the voice of curiosity screamed in the back of my head. I reached for the door handle and opened the door. Stairs leading down to a black obese, a breeze wafting with the smell of salt. I descend down the corridor hoping to find answers, or a distraction