Return

Tossing and turning within the overbearing heat of a comforter, sweat slamming into the mattress. A tangled heap of fabric and flesh shot upright looking desperately for any sign of freedom. Eyes roamed the near perfect room, glancing over the rainbow scribbles in the corner that contrasted the slate blue walls. A singular oak wood dresser took residency in the corner, not a single mark on its reflective surface.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Violet eyes slammed themselves shut once again, lips pursed tightly.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Warily the eyes dared to look around, small details having changed around the room. Cobwebs had found themselves a comfortable spot in the corners, dust covering what little furniture surrounds him. Dressed in a deep red sheet, and black comforter, the worn mattress rested atop a rickety old box spring that squeaked at the slightest movement. Resting against the crumbling wall were two grey pillows with fresh cases.

A familiar squeak followed by a groan brought a small level of comfort. A singular hand searched in desperation for a key feature that appeared to always be missed when in another land of unknown. So similar the two were, with the most notable difference taking place underneath the sheets of the mattress. When pressure was applied to a small area in a corner both sheet and hand sunk wrist deep until they hit what filled the mattress.

Adrenaline that had been rushing through veins dwindled. Fabric was rustled about and tossed to the side of the bed. Thick layers of dust surrounded footprints on the floor. Each appeared unaltered leading to various points throughout the room, one path never crossing the next.

Each of the spots became filled as small, pale feet made contact with the cracked wood. Much like the lightning that brightened the navy blue of the evening sky, sharp turns and abrupt endings seemed to form intricate designs that created an unintentional beauty. Shadows slinked over the damage, following closely behind the feet leaving the dust unaltered.

Creaks and groans permeated throughout the room with each step. Numbers began accruing within each footprint. Whispers echoed one after another, counting each time a step was taken. Each number was lengthened to fit the amount of time for the foot to flatten against the ground. Each movement by both shadow and individual held an air of caution. With each step closer the nightstand seemed to grow farther away, just barely out of reach.

The process to open the drawer was agonizingly slow. Fifteen perfectly placed steps brought about the treacherous sight of a worn, spiral bound wooden notebook. Burn marks littered both the cover and the back, nearly masking the smooth lettering that had been so carefully engraved. Within the drawer was a variety of brightly colored pens that contrasted against the dark background of the wood. Each laid out perfectly by the book aside from one.

Navy blue in color, the writing utensil rolled from side to side, dribbling ink into the engravings. A voice filled the air, a small squeak breaking past dry lips as the very first words were spoken after months.

"What is this color for?"

Utilizing vocal cords once again was strange. It had become foreign, a stranger that should have brought comfort. Had it truly been so long? Trapped amongst the shadows and following along with the rules of the home without a glimpse of humanity? At what point did a sense of time slip away, escaping just out of reach? Bewildered by the shadows' unresponsiveness the individual warily grabbed both book and pen from the drawer.

Whispers began filling the room once more. Gradually they increased in volume, repeating the same horrific message. A singular drawer began slamming itself open and closed. Something had taken their attention, low growls barely audible from behind an aging door.

"Unwelcome!" they began to scream, "Unwelcome company!"

Clutched tightly in a pale hand the notebook began to warm itself. The clip on the pen digging into flesh as the individual stood in horror, searching desperately for the intruder. Underneath the singular door a dim light grew brighter. When illuminated the floor appeared new, the shine still prominent on a plethora of swirls and knots that had been sealed with a waxy substance.

"Write," the shadows began to scream in agony, "Write the light away!"

For once the individual disobeyed.

Breathe in.

Breathe out

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

"They're coming close! Unwelcome! Unwelcome!"

A few more breaths. That's all. A few more breaths.

The windows began rattling violently. Blankets began being tossed about. The rickety bed frame repeatedly slammed against the wall. As the door slowly creaked open and more light leaked into the room, the screaming and violence grew almost intolerable. Drawers were slamming themselves shut, the nightstand was knocking itself over and lifting itself back up. The death grip on the notebook tightened, the pen being discarded on the floor. Caution was thrown away, the dust building up in the air throughout the midst of the room's temper tantrum.

"Check this one out, Natalia!"

As the light poured in, the bedroom faded from existence. The horrendous sight was replaced with slate blue walls and undamaged furniture. Unease settled within the pit of the individual's stomach. Hands clenched tightly, eyes slowly and painfully adjusting to the seemingly bright light.

Was this a dream?

Could she really leave?

She’d been in this scenario time and time again. Something in her longed to experience the outside world. To feel the warmth of what the room dubbed “sunlight” against her bare skin. To experience the bright colors that came with the presence of the light shining through the small crack in the windows curtains. Everytime the opportunity arose, she would take it. Marching out the door with confidence before the unsettling feeling of her stomach churning began.

It was unsettling at first. Something small that is able to be brushed off. Taking in the appearance of the room caused that feeling to become intolerable, fear taking its time creeping through every ounce of her being as conflicting thoughts inavded her mind. She could not tell whether they were merely the room or her own. Regardless, the room had tkaen care of her over the months so long as she obeyed every command that was given to her. Each time the room would grant her permission, allowing her to experience the room long enough to encounter what she believed to be true happiness if only for a moment.

Then it began to speak to her. Showing her images of humanity creating rules and regulations that looked in disgust at those that did not share its ideals. Humanity appeared to merely be a collaboration of people seeking control. Images would begin playing through her mind of indiviudals ripping themselves apart and utilizing unknown machines to harm one another. Submission of opposing parties was the goal and that became what she feared most.

While the room she had always seen was well kept, she had never encountered who allowed it to be in such pristine condition. Never once had she interacted with another human, let alone another being outside of the room itself. Sometimes the fog that clouded her mind would begin to lift, allowing for brief glimpses of memories to slip through before the fog would be forced back into place. If the room didn’t want her to see something from before the first month she had woken up on the bed, then it stood to reason it was for the best.

But, something about this time was different. The room wasn’t granting her permission. In fact, it wanted her to stay where she was and ignore the voices that eagerly awaited her outside the door. She wanted to meet this Natalia and her allies, experience this joy that they expressed for herself. Perhaps they could answer the questions that the room was unable to. All she had to do was exit the door that had provided protection over the course of the last few months. A tug at the back of her mind urged her forward, ignoring the voice of the room that was pushing her to shut the door and return to bed.

Taking slow steps forward, the feeling of fabric fluttering around her knees brought her to a halt. Grasping the fabric, she noted that it was no longer rough in her hands. A faded and torn green dress had been restored to its former glory. Daring to glance down, she noted the sandals that had been on her feet months ago. There were no scars from past mistakes, no blisters from burns. It had all been restored. Within her mind there was a hole, she was unable to recognize the young male standing in front her. He was familiar, but even still something was blocking her from putting features to a name.

"Well, did it work? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Another individual, this one female, tilted her head in curiosity. The two individuals were strikingly similar for being different sexes. The male, while rather short in height, stood with his hands in his hoodie pocket. The female mimicked this expression watching the unnamed individual with complete curiosity. Unable to stand the silence that followed Natalia opened her mouth and released broken, scratchy words.

"I think it worked."