Resurgence

{3} Still Breathing

Ripped.

I'm being ripped apart from the inside out.

Someone...anyone, please help me!

I doubled over and my mind became muddled; clutching my stomach with trembling hands for dear life. My insides felt like they were being clawed and mangled beyond recognition. My mouth was left hanging open, as strands of saliva mixed with a stream of tears dripped down to the bleak tiles on the floor. The only sound that broke out of my tight throat was a guttural groan. I couldn't scream. I couldn't cry for help.

I don't know when I had collapsed on the floor. My heart felt like it was being squeezed, and my blood raced through my body. I writhed about on the floor; my knees drawing closer as I whimpered and huddled into a small ball, shuddering uncontrollably-

--My back shot up, arms and legs becoming rigid. I heaved as I tried to suck in air. Convulsions racked through my body, and wetness trickled down my leg.  My muscles contracted and relaxed rapidly throughout my body, making me shake wildly. There was no part that I was in control of. The convulsions continued to repeatedly hit my body, unrelenting and cruel. They kept coming and coming, for what seemed like hours.

Slowly, my body eased from the spasms and the haze that the pain created let up. My throat wasn't as constricted anymore. I don't know how long it has been. My head hurt. My eyes hurt. My fingers hurt. Everything felt damaged. All I am is pain. All I am is a prisoner, shackled down by the chains of anguish.

I remember wondering if it was possible to cry so many tears.

Slowly, my brain worked its way back to life; as senses, other than pain, flooded it. The smell of sweat and urine invaded my nose. I heard footsteps. People running from a distance, coming closer and closer. And, I felt a hand laying on my arm.

Slowly, I opened my aching eyes to see who the hand was attached to.

The dark figure.

I shuddered, unable to do anything else. She was hovering over me. It was her hand that was placed on my arm. My body felt too weak, and riddled with pain to move.

Am I going to die like this?

Spots of black coloured my vision, as I stared at the thing.

At least it won't hurt anymore.

As my eyelids became heavy, I noticed that the figure disappeared as the sounds of footsteps became unmistakable. A voice full of desperation screamed out, "Maya!"

Mom.

I greeted the numbing darkness.

--

Darkness surrounded me. There was no line between where I started, or where the blackness started. I became it, and it became me. The way it dulled everything inside me was almost comforting. I felt nothing. I remained suspended in the blackness...until a ray of something bright shined through- light. 

My eyes fluttered open. Compared to the muted darkness, the light that hit my eyes was dazzling. Needing a few seconds to adjust to the change, I finally began processing the event around me. There was something soft beneath me. I frowned and felt around, then turned my head to look at my side. A bed of grass. 

I immediately got up into a sitting position, and gasped as I covered my open mouth in awe. I was in the middle of a beautiful valley. Allowing my eyes to roam, I saw that it was a place filled with colourful flowers of all kind- ranging from lilies, orchids, and mayflowers to even flowers that I was sure didn't exist. Lush greenery was everywhere, extending across the hills in the horizon. It seemed to go on for forever. It felt warm; sunlight caressing my skin while the sweet smell of the flowers tickled my nose. I almost didn't want to move- as if this was a fragile illusion that would break if disturbed. I stayed in the same position for a few moments, drinking the scenery in. Then, I pressed my lips together and took time to pull myself up to stand. I slightly tilted my head, becoming aware that I didn't feel any pain, or tiredness.