I'm not dead, I screamed, but no one heard. I couldn't move. Not even to open my eyes. Couldn't speak. I imagined that if I thought hard enough, someone would hear me. I imagined that someone would find me in the rubble of was once my office and save me from this frightening darkness.
It seemed that I spent an eternity there, helpless and alone, but it could have been minutes. The rest seemed to take no more than an instant, but it might have lasted forever. I no longer felt the heavy weight on my body, but I still could not move.
I heard a voice.
Then, two.
Too indistinct to understand, but they were there. Somewhere in the haze of my mind. I strained to hear them. To make sense of who they were, where they were. Finally, the fog cleared a little and I heard one speak.
Wake up. The voice was familiar, but I couldn't remember why.
I can't. My eyes won't open, I answered.
Wake UP.
I tried to pull myself out of this dream-like state. I thought I wouldn't make it, but then I felt a sort of push from behind.
My eyes opened to more darkness. But this darkness was real, not like the imagined darkness of my mind.
Down the hall. You'll find a door.
I didn't question the voice. I followed it's instructions. I waved my hands blindly in front of me until they found a hard surface, then a knob.
My eyes did not remember light. They stung furiously. I ignored the pain and left the darkness behind me.
Fresh air. The world had not ended. No meteor hung heavy in the sky. My eyes were finally adjusting.
The world had never looked so beautiful.