Dalliance - Z.M. (An Exquisites Original Story)

49; Life Support

Chapter 49

"This is my world, my choice.
And you're the drug that gets me through."

(Raine's POV)

I'm suffocating.

I feel like two hands are wrapped around my throat and are mercilessly draining the life out of me. My mind is spinning, my eyes are bulging, my entire body is paralyzed- I feel as if the shadow of death is hanging above me. I can't scream out for help. Nothing is coming out of my mouth, but tears are falling down my face so fast I feel like it's raining. I look up to the sky above me but it's not raining. It's completely dark, shining on the world around me but casting a dark shadow on my presence.

I'm not sure how I made my way to the roof, but now that I'm here, I can't help but feel so happy that I'm alone. Nobody is here... am I even allowed to be here?

Suddenly, the suffocation stops and I'm roped back into a brief flash of reality. Where is everyone? Where am I? I can't remember anything since I have come to the roof. All I can do is look down at the height below me, my head tilting when I realize how tall the roof really is. If I fall, would I make it?

It's worth a shot.

Kicking off my shoes because somehow I convince myself that they will only stop me, I crawl on the ledge, my dress constricting me like tight tape. Once I finally push myself up, I take a seat on the edge and look below me, extending my hands out and shutting my eyes. The cool air feels so incredibly soft against my skin, I feel as though the night has become velvet. The shadow of death that was once following me is no longer there, and I'm left felt as though I'm floating on air.

I feel a shock go through my body but the world envelopes me whole, protecting me. My mind loses its stability and I force myself to open my eyes, looking back down. I know if I jump now, I will die. But I wonder what life is like after death, not for me, but for those around me. I'm sure they will be okay. I'm nobody's favorite, just a pitiful hassle caught up in a masterful scheme to my inevitable demise.

The jump doesn't look so far anymore. I wonder if I should go over to the taller building across from me so my death is ensured.

"Hey!"

Startled, I turn my neck to the sound of an unfamiliar voice. A man is there, walking towards me with his arms raised and his eyes wide. He looks familiar, but I can't remember his name at the moment.

"Hi."

He places a hand over his heart, but I'm not sure why. When did he even come up here? I thought I was alone. Suddenly, everything feels so much more complicated.

"Raine, get off," he demands, his voice holding an accent that I can't place, but clearly he knows me.

"Who are you?" I ask, my words slurring. I wonder if he understands what is coming out of my mouth.

"Don't do this," he pleads, approaching me slowly. I blink a few times to make sure he's actually real.

"But..." I look around me, patting the ledge. "I like it up here."

He doesn't say anything now that he's very close to me. Who the fuck is this guy and how does he know me? I wait for him to touch me, to pull me down or push me, but he never does. Instead, he maintains a safe distance from me and looks me straight in the eye.

"Please, get off," he says carefully as if I won't understand. But I know what he's asking of me, I just don't want to come. I feel like I'm hovering above the world. Nobody knows where I am for the first time on a long time - I feel good. Well, I don't know if I feel good per say, but I don't necessarily feel as blue as I did when I was surrounded by people.