Bwehee. I finally got through the beginning!! Now I intend to put more oomph into this story and actually start the plot. Sorry if the first two chapters were short and a little fast...I just had to get all that out.::breathes sigh of relief:: Now I just have to hope I know what I'm doing ^-^;;;;



Chapter 3


Ambience




When it stopped, everything stopped. The ocean froze, the wind ceased, and all I could hear was my own breathing.


The scene was calm and more beautiful than any artist could ever depict. The water was a perfect blue, not too dark, not too clear. I was merely transparent enough to see schools of fish waltzing together as one in suspended animation.


Magnificent.


The new shore held no lush tropical oasis, but a beautiful coastline with a two hundred foot drop-off cutting strait down into the ocean. Looking farther out into the horizon, I saw no mountains. It seemed to be an endless field of rolling hills and tall oceanic grasses frozen in the wind.


I was close, I felt it.


You would suspect that since the only sound emerged from my lungs, that sound would travel great distances, but it seemed to be blocked from reaching beyond my point of reference. It felt like the air was thick and stubborn to allow anything to pass through.


Out of nowhere the world lurched, taking my insides with it. It was the feeling of suddenly stopping after aimlessly spinning around in circles of hours on end. It tilted and churned slowly and nauseatingly.


Then as if it was being sucked down a drain, the world whirl-pooled away absorbing me with it.


I was so close. To what, I didn't know. My heart sank due to my lack of discovery, and the fact that I was being pulled into oblivion didn't bother me much. Disappointment overwhelmed me.


The environment swirled and swirled wreaking havoc on my perception. The ocean was above my head, and yet it was also to my left and right; or maybe that was the sky...I couldn't tell. The jagged seaside cliffs began to blend with the whirling blue as they purged through the green of the emerald forest.


I could no longer tell which way was up, but at a moment like this, I highly doubted the rules of gravity still continued to exist.


Suddenly I felt a tug at my torso and I was abruptly pulled into the center of the chaotically colliding colors.


This phenomenon most closely resembled a black hole; a nightmarishly black dot consuming all that abided around it and spewing it into another dimension. I swiftly approached the black vortex having no control over my movements. The dark hole became larger and larger soon seeming bigger than the mountain range that I had encountered earlier.


And yet throughout this experience, there was no sound, no wind, just colors.


I was speeding closer, closer, closer until I was inches away...


...and I stopped moving.


The view was amazing. Hundreds of yards in every direction the colors seemed to become a gaseous substance and then just disappear into the darkness. There seemed to be a definite line. It was there and then, bam, gone.


What I had perceived to be a hole appeared to act more like a membrane than a mindless sucking apparatus.


Curious, I brought my hand up to the supposed membrane and felt for anything.


I felt no energy, no movement. The barrier was not cold but neither was it hot, it would be best described as almost...non-existent.


I wanted to touch it.


I put my hand closer and before I could contradict my urge, I touched it.


The disturbance of my touch caused the black membrane to ripple outwards. I was shocked for my hand felt nothing when it met the darkness. I became more daring and touched it again, this time allowing my hand to be completely enveloped in the black.


There, I felt coolness, almost a tingling feeling. The sight seemed peculiar, for I could not see my hand.

I had a stub.


I wiggled my fingers to make sure they were still there and sure enough they were.


I then pulled my hand out again and inspected it.


It seemed pretty normal to me, so I grew increasingly bold. This time I shoved my entire arm through the membrane.


What happened next I did not foresee, and perhaps it was foolish me not to.


By some unknown force, I was pulled through.


~*~


I felt enormous pain overwhelm by body once more. My ribs, my knee, my back, they all surged with anguish.


Though my eyes were open I saw nothing.


I screamed.


In return I heard voices. Whom they belonged to I did not know, nor did I care. I just wanted it all to stop.


From the point of my consciousness I had been moving erratically. The reason for doing so was some subconscious act brought on by my body. The more I moved the more pain I felt, the more pain I felt the more I moved. It cycled on endlessly.


My screams grew louder.


I still saw nothing no matter how many tears tried to wipe the blackness away.


"Hold her down dammit!"


I felt hands clasp my arms trying to subdue me, but my convulsing didn't stop.


"I can't!"


Then like a cold river running through my body, I felt relief, first in my right arm, then into my torso, and finally the grinding pain in my knee disappeared as well.


My body relaxed in a limp heap.


I felt perspiration dampen my forehead and tears flow down my cheeks and onto my chin.


I blinked once, twice, and still nothing but darkness flooded my vision.


"Where...where the hell am I?" I asked, afraid to receive an answer. What if I was back in those cold dungeons, what if they captured me again? I would be here forever to never see the sun again. Dammit no, I wasn't back, I couldn't be, but if I wasn't then where the heck was I?


"Shhh, just relax..."


I wanted to burst.


'Relax? Relax!?What the hell? I'm blind, numb, and clueless and you expect me to relax. Oh I would so give you a piece of my mind if I had feeling in my body. Hell, all I need is one leg. Come on dammit! Bring it on, Bucko!' I felt outraged that I was expected to relax and calm down when I couldn't even see 'where' I was supposed to be relaxing.


"Where the hell am I?" I asked again mustering a little more volume.


"Don't worry. Just close your eyes and sleep for a while." The voice was soothing and motherly, but it still outraged me nonetheless.


I was laying on something soft, not warm, just soft. My head was cushioned and I felt far more covered in fabric than I normally was. The atmosphere was strange, the smell of something I couldn't recognize. I was confused, angry, and emotional. I knew why...and yet I didn't. I knew I was not within Ambience lines, for I would have still been screaming in agony, so that meant I was somewhere safe...no? But in the back of my head I felt that I was not supposed to be here.


Yes, that's the feeling. I didn't belong here, and whenever don't belong somewhere, that means danger.


So I had two contradicting thoughts in my head. I was safe, yes, but yet I wasn't...was I?


I could not tell. I was disordered. Maybe this was all a dream, but then what happened before this? Was that a dream? Was the sand and the ocean and the black vortex-thingy all in my head.


I knew I wasn't that creative.


Once again anger rose within me. If that wasn't a dream, if I wasn't within the clutches of the Ambience, if I wasn't supposed to be where I am now, then what the hell was going on!? Why couldn't I feel my body, why couldn't I think clearly anymore, and why the hell couldn't I see!?


I wanted to sound ferocious and wild, but I realized that as I spoke I sounded terrified and emotional. "I can't see dammit..."


The emotions of wrath and fury I wanted to get across failed me. I could only cry.


"Just close your eyes."


"But..."


Dammit. I'm no crier. I can't cry...dammit I shouldn't be crying.


"It'll be okay."


Tears flowed more freely now; left over tears of pain, tears of fear, of my foolishness. I closed my eyes end saw no difference in the darkness.


Okay...okay. So I should be okay. Dangit, okay isn't good enough.


I wanted to protest. I wanted to yell and scream and yell some more, but I didn't have the energy.


"Shhh..."


I drifted away wondering if I would ever wake again.


'Maybe, maybe not.'


~*~

I felt a presence near where I lay. I turned my head to look regardless of my vision impairment.


My neck was stiff and agitated. The hair on my head felt oily and unbearably tangled. The sweat and tears that had dried on my face caused it to turn dry and feel wrinkled beyond the point of salvation, even though I was far too young to have wrinkles.


I might of had a few gray hairs though.


I tried to laugh at my attempted humor, but fell into coughs instead.


Whoever was beside me moved. I was startled.


"Are you awake?"


The voice was kind, but first impressions could always be wrong.


"Naw," I said hoarsely, "Sleeping peacefully."


"Oh, okay then."


My throat was so dry I sounded more like a man than the person next to me...who I presumed to be male of course.


There was a short silence and then I said, "Water."


"No can do."


"Water dammit."


"You had surgery on your ribs two weeks ago. The shattered fragments ruptured your liver, stomach, and small intestine. You can't eat or drink for another three days or so. Your stomach couldn't handle it."


Two weeks ago. Holy crap...


Throughout our conversation I decided to give up and just position my head where it was most comfortable instead of trying to make eye contact...which was pretty pointless. I was blind.

"You have to be kidding me." My throat stung every word I said.


"I'm serious."


I sighed, "Just one little sip."


"No."


"Please?"


"Nope."


"Pretty please?"


"Uh uh."


"Come on!"


"I don't think so."


"Fuck you."


"Nope."

"Go to hell."

"Negatory."

"I'm gonna kick your ass."


"Houston, that's a negative."


"What the hell is Houston?"


"Your mom, now go back to sleep."


I laid there not knowing whether or not he was looking at me. I was frightening to not know what was going on in my environment. I had no clue about my surroundings and the day was an unknown fact also. I heard the person stand up and walk away.


"Where the hell you going." My voice barely traveled, but he answered nonetheless.


"To Houston."


"Then say hi to my mom."


"Sure thing."


The door opened and shut quietly.


I was all alone again, in a quiet, scary, dark world.


~*~


I'm not sure how much time passed. I could have been a few hours, a few days, or another two weeks. I wasn't sure and frankly I didn't give a damn. Worrying wasn't getting me anywhere, I knew that much.


I could only hope that when I woke up again, three days passed.


Water, water, water.


I thought this time that, just maybe, when I opened my eyes I would be able to see. My hoping was in vain.


I was met with darkness once more, but I no longer cared. Being blind could have its advantages, like...well, my sense of smell could improve...


My legs felt like jello after not moving for however long I had been laying here.


I decided to take a stroll.


I eased myself up, finding that I was wrapped in some sort of fabric. I carefully pushed it down to my feet. I went to throw my feet over the edge of my cushioned bed, but found my knee to be restrained by a hard casing. It was heavy. That wasn't going to stop me.


I felt something lodged inside the crease of my right arm and slowly pulled it out. It was thin tipped but stubborn. Once freed, I stood. The floor was cold on my bear feet; nevertheless it was nice to know I in fact still had feeling in my feet.


At once I felt dizzy and my legs shook. My back dully throbbed with pain.


Once my head leveled out I hobbled my first step. I felt like such a retard with my arms waving in front of me. If someone was watching they would be having a good laugh right now.


"Daring, aren't you?"


Tsh, of course. Just my luck. "Don't you dare laugh at me," I warned.


It sounded like the same man from before.


"Laugh... no," he chuckled. "I'm actually surprised. You expect to wander around blind and broken?" I felt him move closer.


I already felt hatred towards this man. I have spoken to him twice and he was already the center of my anger. "I'm not broken."


"Then what do you consider yourself?" he questioned.


I paused a moment and said, "Temporarily out of order."


He grabbed my arm and made to lead me back into the bed. I ripped my arm from his grip and protested, "No way."


I waddled away as fast as I could, arms waving in front of me.


I prayed I wouldn't trip and fall.


"Where do you think your going?" He seemed amused.


"Wherever the hell I want to go." My hands met with a smooth wall so I followed it sideways hoping to find a door.


My knee was already starting to sting. I began to limp.


"Well, then I guess you don't want this water I brought for you..."


I stopped moving. "How do I know you have water? You could be holding a forest creature for all I know."


"Ah, you got me. I have this friendly furry squirrel on my shoulder eating acorns." He chuckled. "He's very cute."


He was mocking me! The nerve!


I continued angrily along my wall without a sound.


"I really do have water you know..." It was quiet for a moment. I was tense. I couldn't hear him moving, but I knew he was.


I just kept shuffling my feet trying to find a door.


I felt him breathe on my neck. "It's right here in my hand." Hi voice was low and seducing in my ear.


I jerked in surprise. "Don't do that."

I hated him even more

"Do what?" He asked it so innocently.


"That," I emphasized. "The whole quiet thing."


"Don't you trust me?"


"Of course I don't."


"Hmm." He made that sound to himself in a thoughtful manner. "I'll leave your water on the table beside your bed. Try not to knock it over."


I then felt his presence disappear.


I was drained of all energy that I had mustered earlier. I wanted to lay down and fall asleep again.


Slowly and methodically I found my way back into my bed but decided to remain sitting upwards. I felt around the sides of the bed for a table and found it. Immediately afterwards the glass of water was within my possession.


I didn't take a sip. I didn't trust that man. I couldn't afford to trust anyone right now. No one.


I poured the water onto the floor. I knew temptation would eventually overwhelm me.


The water splashed and splattered on the hard tile.


Once I was sure the last drip was gone, I laid back and fell asleep once more hoping for the best.


Hope. That's all I had left.







Mwaha. Finis!! Hmm...well...tell me what you think! The next chapter is going to be a bit more eventful, I just had to set the moooooooooooooood.


Well now that the mood is set, what will happen?!!? ::gasps:: Mwaha you'll have to wait...so be good and eat your carrots....(I'm not one for sneak peeks)


Toodles^-^