Random Short Stories

356th failure

One day I woke up and found that beside me was empty.

You weren't there.

I panicked, checking my phone to see if you had called or left a message at least.

You didn't.

I ran all over the house, checking every toilet and room. And every single piece of furniture. Maybe you left a note explaining where you were.

Neither you or a note was in sight.

I finally gave up and fell onto the sofa. It was possible that you went out to the grocery store and would be back soon. But that didn't explain why all your belongings were gone.

Did you really leave me?

Hands trembling, I used my phone to dial your number. "The number you are calling is not subscribed to."

It couldn't be.

I pressed the next number I could remember by heart. James should know where you went. He was your friend too.

The phone rang for a few seconds before a sleepy voice answered.

"Hello?"

"J-James... Emily is missing! I've searched everywhere but I cannot find her!" My voice was shaky.

"Mhm..." James's voice seemed oddly calm.

"Jjames do you know where she is? Please...tell me..."

"No I don't. Give me half an hour. I'll get to your house and we'll think of how to find her together."

"T-thanks James..."

I waited and waited. It felt like an eternity had passed. An eternity with me quivering on the sofa, helpless and unsure. I kept glancing at the clock but time was ticking by so slowly.

At the fifteenth minute, the door clicked open. James wasn't supposed to be here in another fifteen minutes so it had to be you. I ran to the door.

But what met me there wasn't you with your open arms and sweet words.

It was James. And behind him stood a bunch of men clad in pure white lab clothes.

"He's acting up again." James said composed, face in a serious and stoic expression.

"J-james what are you t-talking about? Who are these men? Aaren't we supposed to be finding...Emily?"

"It's ok Shah. These men will help you. You'll be alright soon..."

Two of the men dressed in white strolled in.

"Ddon't come near me... James help me! I don't want to go! I want to find Emily!"

James just stared at me with a sad smile as I furiously struggled against the two men.

They strapped me to a bed which was much like one that paramedics would use.

"James why?" I was close to tears, staring at my friend with the most pitiful eyes.

"Shah they will help you I promise. You will definitely be alright again."

He ruffled my hair as the team of men rolled my bed out of the door.

"Outside" didn't have bustling streets or normal people. It was just more people clad in white, rushing around this long tunnel lit with bright lights.

"What's going on? Where am I? Emily, where's she? Did you guys take her too? Return her! Return her to me!"

The man nearest to me spoke into his walkie talkie, "Shah Dawnson has failed for the 356th time. Commencing anesthesia."

I felt a jab in my shoulders. And immediately everything started to blur. "Wh-att ar youu ddoing-"

My world turned dark.

One day I woke up and found that beside me was empty.

You weren't there.