0000 I don't own this all I own is a beautiful Malcolm Reed action figure (Christmas courtesy of best mate) 0000 Ok huge thanks to all those who review you are officially amazing and cool and fabulous people!! Sorry for the lack of updating but my GCSE's are coming up and suddenly out of nowhere a massive pile of coursework has appeared with horrific things like 2000 words written on them. So that's my excuse/ self pitying whine. Anyway enjoy! 0000
"How is he Doctor?"
"He's developed an infection, I'm doing my best but at the moment it's resisting all medication I give him."
For a long while there was nothing and he remained in darkness, praying and hoping that he would wake up and see them. That he would wake up and know what was going on. That he would wake up and not be alone anymore.
"Hey Mal, it's me."
At least now he wasn't alone, he reasoned, at least now there's something else besides the darkness.
"Mal, the Doc says you aren't doin' so good. You've got to fight this Mal. You gotta wake up………"
But like a badly tuned radio the voice faded out leaving the sound of static and he could no longer understand the words. The darkness pressed against him and he let out a scream that no one heard.
Malcolm woke with a jolt fighting the seemingly thousands of sheets covering him. Someone was beside him, trying to calm him with soothing words, but he didn't hear them and instead stared round wildly in complete panic.
Finally free of his covers he allowed himself to calm, his breathing still coming in short shaky gasps as he tried to comprehend what was happening.
"Malcolm? Malcolm look at me."
He turned obediently and found himself looking into the dark brown eyes of his 'wife'.
"Emma?"
Emma smiled and gently smoothed back his hair.
"You were having a nightmare," she said softly. "Just breathe, you're safe now."
Safe?! How can I be safe?! When I close my eyes I'm trapped in darkness and when I wake it's in another place, same time, wrong people, wrong career, wrong friends, and wrong family!
How the hell is that safe?
She has no idea-I have no idea! I have no idea what's happening! Why am I here? Why can't I wake up from the darkness?
Just breathe Malcolm, you sound like a mad man.
Mad man? Maybe I am mad, maybe I've gone insane and I'm just torturing myself with fanciful ideas of home when actually my home is here.
But if my home is here………..why does it feel so wrong? Enterprise is my home. They will find me, they wouldn't leave me……………would they?
"Malcolm," said Emma rubbing his back soothingly.
When did she start doing that?
"Malcolm," she tried again. "Are you ok?"
Ok? Am I ok?! No I'm not bloody ok! I'm driving myself insane!
He nodded and lightly touched her arm. She felt solid and warm beneath his touch.
"Am I awake?" he whispered, barely audible.
She took him in her arms and hugged him.
"It was a bad one wasn't it," she sighed. "But you're safe, everything's fine, it was just a nightmare."
"Just a nightmare," he agreed pulling away from her.
"Want to tell me about it?"
He blinked stupidly and merely stared at her for a few seconds.
You wouldn't understand.
"I don't remember it," he lied. "I didn't mean to wake you."
"You didn't, I was just coming in to wake you," she told him. "Its morning sweetheart, time to get up."
Malcolm nodded and stood up, for a brief moment wondering if his legs would work.
"I'm getting a shower," he said and walked out leaving her sat on the bed.
Where am I going?
He blindly made his way to the bathroom but it was as though someone else was pushing him in the right direction.
As the hot water pounded his shoulders he could hear the sound of the others moving about and talking. The remnants of the darkness trickled away and by the time he stepped out again he felt more in control. Ready to cope with the situation till the others came for him.
Or until I get myself out.
"Malcolm, your parents called," said Emma as he entered the kitchen. "They're coming over later on."
"Grandpa's coming?" Joe asked brightly, flooding his cereal with milk.
Emma nodded and Malcolm forced a smile onto his face. He grabbed the nearest mug and poured himself a coffee.
Emma's usually the coffee nut, me and the boys prefer tea in true British fashion.
Bloody hell where did that come from?
The coffee was black, hot and bitter. It brought the morning into sharp focus.
"Did they mention a time?" Malcolm asked, grimacing at the coffee's bitter taste.
"About lunch time," Emma replied. "They didn't specify a time."
Didn't specify a time? That's unusual. My father is anal about time-keeping. She must have talked to mum.
0000
Clock watching had never been his favourite occupation. The endless ticking sound that was being created in his head (the clock was digital) was driving him to the point of insanity.
In an odd way it was making him sleepy too, the boys were upstairs, Emma was vacuuming and the living room was strangely quiet. He was complete alone just staring at the clock as if it could somehow tell him when his parents were coming.
He stood up to shake of his sleepy feeling and paced the room.
What's wrong with you?
Strange situation, uncertain territory, unfamiliar yet familiar people need I go on?
I need to be more alert, can't work out what's happening if I'm asleep.
"He's not breathing!"
He didn't have chance to contemplate where the voice came from before he fell back onto the sofa.
The darkness returned, leaving him with a strange feeling of suspense. He once more waited for something to happen. Something to touch him or speak to him, the voices of his crewmates trying to wake him but there was nothing. No sound, save the raspy wheeze of breathing echoing eerily.
"Hello?" The word caught in his throat and no sound was made. The darkness scared him; there was no one there this time, no one speaking to him trying to wake him.
He was alone.
"Help me………"
0000 Please review! I love knowing what you think of this 0000
