purgatory

chapter 3

"Wake up."

Painfully ripping my eyes apart, bright golden light pierced my pupils.

"Wake up!"

A dull, aching pain subsided in the back of my skull.

"I'm up!" I groaned, pushing my chest a bit above my bed.

Cold air circulated my room, scraping it's fingers against my skin leaving trails of goose bumps behind.

Empty.

I closed my eyes again, the pain embedded now in my neck.

"Get up!"

A sharp tap placed itself on my foot. My eyes flicked open.

Still empty.

I pushed the covers off of my body, letting them slip away. I turned my head, looking around the small space of my room.

The closet doors shut, the window; closed. I shifted to the side of the bed, slowly standing on the wood floor.

"I'm up!" I called out again, half hoping to get a reply.

No answer.

I scanned my room, looking under the computer desk, before moving to my closet. I opened the white painted doors, revealing nothing but clothes and shoes.

Moving back to my bed, I slowly stopped, inching myself closer to the floor. My hands pressed against the dusty wood, dirt and sand gritty under my palms.

Nothing under my bed.

"Get up!"

I jumped, my head hitting the frame. I winced, my headache now more prominent.

"I'm up!?" I said, standing once more.

I glimpsed at the light in the hallway turn on, illuminating under the door.

"Whose there!" I called out, my hands shaking.

"Get up!"

A faint call from downstairs echoed it's way into my ears. I ran to the door, turning the knob and quickly jerking it open. The light shined brighter than I remembered. It almost glowed, instead of burning...

"Katana! Get up!"

Ruby?

"Ruby!" I screamed, chasing the voice down the hallway.

My bare feet pattered against the floor, surely waking her up.

But, I don't care.

"Ruby!" I called again, my voice raising is exasperation.

I felt myself failing, falling down the stairs. I reached out, grasping the air for anything, anybody.

She stood there, her arm reaching out to catch me. But I passed through.

"Get up!"

Sharp, stabbing pain, pinched it's way into my muscles. Everything a blur.

"Get up!"

Abruptly, I stopped. My muscles scaling in and out of numbness. I held my head, pressing harder onto my pulsing temples.

My eyes dazed in and out of a blur, everything turning to fuzz. The light in the upstairs hallway turned off.

"Tracy!" I called out, my head whirling.

I tried standing, my hip locking in place. I lied on the floor, waiting for her to come.

A long, drawn out ring echoed through the house.

The phone!

It whistled once again, repeating itself three or four times before pushing itself to voicemail.

"Leave a message. You know what to do!"

Ruby's voice...

"I won't be home later, so make some dinner."

She's gone.

I yelped in pain, feeling my hip stab my muscles. Tears welled in my eyes, heavy drops spilling down my cheeks.

My throat swelled, choking me on my own cries.

"Help!" I called, a ringing silence my only answer.

I looked down, my right leg bent crookedly and misshapen. I rubbed my temples, by body rolling in discomfort.

"God damnit!" I screamed, her face pushing back into my eyes.

Perturbed, I bang my fist on the floor, looking about me.

"I'm going insane..." I sniffled, wiping the back of my fist against my eyes.

I lied back down, placing my palms over my ears.

"Get up!"

"Get up!"

"Get up!"