A weak groan left Carrie White's lips as her eyes fluttered open to the dark. A faint heartbeat filled her ears while her vision struggled to adjust. In her last memory, the house collapsed, and rocks rained down. Carrie tried to sit up, squirming in pain, but something heavy pinned her. She glanced around with furrowed brows, then paused at the dark outline above her. She held her breath and brushed her mother's stiff body.
Copper-blonde hair formed a halo around the woman's pale appearance. Dark blue stains tainted her full pink lips, and her eyes shut.
Carrie's adrenaline spiked as she screamed and pushed the body off her. She panted, waiting for movement, but nothing happened.
"Mm… am… ma?"
Her mother lay on her back, unable to speak.
"Mama? Say something!" As Carrie crawled over to the prone woman, she called out again. She shook her body, trying to wake her, but nothing. Sobbing, Carrie embraced her mother's body. She pressed her lips to her mother's scalp as she wailed. Tears poured onto her cheeks, blurring her vision. What happened? Why is Mama--?
Her thoughts paused when something warm trickled into her hand. Carrie raised her hand and froze at the crimson stain as she sniffled. The metallic scent of blood sparked memories in her mind. She remembered the fight for her life, the bloodied knife, and her mother's last breath.
As a shiver rippled through Carrie, her hand covered her mouth. Though she swallowed hard, her throat burned as bile threatened to escape. She pressed her forehead against her mother's.
"She deserved it," a voice spoke in her head.
Startled, Carrie glanced around. "H-H-Hello?" Her chest tightened, and her breathing increased. As she sat still, waiting for a response, her ears strained. After a while, she exhaled. Heat rose within her closed, puffy eyes. I'm having a nightmare. Once I wake up, Mama will be alright.
"Deny it all you want, but this is reality."
The girl's eyes twitched as she scanned. Hidden debris barred her from each side, reminding her of the Prayer Closet. Each time her mother shoved her in, she'd tremble, her heart racing. Its haunting conditions burned into her mind like a brand.
Still clinging to her mother's body, Carrie rocked back and forth. Her teary eyes darted around until a bright orange light caught her attention. Was that an exit? Was God waiting for her?
Carrie kissed her temple as she hugged her dead mother. She laid her on the ground, stroking her pale skin. Goodbye, Mama.
Her body aching, she arose. She staggered through the darkness until she stumbled upon something. Carrie brushed her hands against the surface: smooth with rubble poking from the edge. With the light luring her in, Carrie climbed towards it, grunting. Her eyes grew heavy as she struggled to stay awake.
Just a little longer. Almost there.
A draft from the opening nipped her sweat-drenched skin. As she advanced into the beacon, she heaved some air. Closing her eyes, Carrie enjoyed the warm light caressing her. A knot formed in her stomach when she opened them.
Neither God nor Heaven awaited her.
Night fell upon the sleeping world as a cool breeze blew, with rows of lights gleaming. Across the quiet suburbs, houses sat next to each other. Behind her, her destroyed one-story blue house littered the lawn, along with rocks. A burning odor hit her nostrils, forcing her to shift to her right. Flames flared in the distance, and smoke filled the air.
"W-What happened here?" Carrie couldn't take her eyes off the destruction.
"Don't you remember? They pushed you too far, and you punished them," the voice said, almost taunting her. "They had it coming."
As she examined her dust-covered hands, her eyes widened with memories.
Prom Night 2013.
Pig's blood.
The attack.
"What have I done?" As Carrie stumbled back, a glass shard in the grass pricked her foot. She jumped away from the source while a nearby streetlight shimmered. While rubbing her bleeding foot with her dirty hands, the girl froze. She focused on the streetlight, and when it flickered again, her stomach quivered.
Her breath quickened as instinct urged her to leave. Every scenario filled her mind with dread.
Sirens screeched from every direction as Carrie fled into the back streets. Although she stayed in the shadows, loud noises frightened her. After some time, Carrie reached a dense forest. She surveyed the burning town before fading into the woods, tears in her eyes.
Tree branches swayed with the evening breeze, and owls hooted their night songs. Moonlight shone through the darkness, lighting Carrie's path. Thick mud covered her feet, and thorny plants ensnared her tattered blue gown. Though she freed herself, the thorns tore holes in the fabric. As her back tightened, she stopped.
With a groan, Carrie brushed her fingers against the source. A speck of blood blotted her fingers when she pulled her hand into view. She glanced at herself as more blood soaked into her attire.
Why Mama?
"Your mother never loved you," the voice said. "She used her 'maternal love' to commit her heinous sin: playing God."
Indifferent to the voice, Carrie resumed her trek without direction. She wandered through the forest until she arrived at a beach. The wind carried sulfur from dried seaweed, and waves billowed against the shore.
Carrie smiled at the scenery. The beach was on her wish list after graduating from Ewen High School. To have the waves brush against her skin. She wanted sunlight to hit her face before death claimed her.
Shivering, exhausted, and bleeding, Carrie collapsed to the ground. Her face hit the sand as a lightless veil enveloped her. Whatever lay ahead would be better than this nightmare.
A glimmer of light flooded her vision, awakening her. She blinked, allowing her eyes to adjust to the stinging brightness. Lamps dimmed across the cream-tinted ceiling. Carrie sat up, stunned to discover herself on a cot. Uncertain of where she was, she inspected the room.
Beside her cot was a small mahogany desk with a reading lamp. Against the wall sat two desks; one had a TV. The bathroom and dressing room were near her. Dazed, she glanced down, her eyes bulging. Pink silk pajamas replaced the frayed blue gown. In addition, blood and muck were no longer on her. While examining her clothes, a flurry of questions raced through her mind. Across from her was a man sitting cross-legged.
Subtle creases on his face revealed his life's journey. His bald scalp shone in the morning sun filtering through the window. A thick henna robe draped over his body, hiding prominent features. Wrinkles and liver spots covered his hands.
In silence, the man closed his eyes and pressed his palms together.
Not wanting to disturb the man, Carrie tried to leave. Though subtle, her muscles hurt as she winced.
"You shouldn't move." The man's voice was light. He opened his eyes, revealing a brilliant brown hue. His gaze held comfort. However, it hid something else, and Carrie's body remained alert.
"Wh-what?" Her voice trembled.
"Your injuries left you unconscious for several hours. Let me change the bandages."
Frightened, Carrie retreated to a corner when the man arose from his cot. "P-Please…" Her eyes became damp with tears. Her body trembled as she curled up on her knees. "Please don't hurt me."
The man raised a calming hand. "Don't be afraid, child. There are no enemies here, nor am I one. You're safe. No one will hurt you."
Though wary, Carrie relaxed a bit. Her mother regarded men as ferocious beasts yearning for coitus relations. Why would this man be different? Why would he help someone so despised as her?
"Can I see your left arm?" he asked.
Carrie blinked at his request, searching for signs of deception. After finding nothing, she offered her arm. While the man rolled up her left shirt sleeve, Carrie recoiled from his touch but remained calm. The man removed a thin layer of gauze covering her arm. After examining her injuries, he headed to the bathroom.
Curious, Carrie raised her arm, discovering a line of stitches. Though brief, a memory flashed in her mind of her mother cutting her right leg. She gripped her leg as though the pain had returned. She furled up her pant leg, exposing more gauze. With knitted brows, she brushed her hand against the cotton fabric.
The man returned with a bowl filled with water, setting it atop the wooden drawer. He removed a small rag from his robe and soaked it in the bowl. Once he squeezed out the excess water from the rag, he cleaned around the stitches.
Carrie sucked air through her teeth. The dim lamps flickered for a moment until she relaxed. To her relief, the man ignored the flickering. "Ex-excuse me, sir, did… did you do this?"
A warm smile spread across the man's face. "Yes. Please forgive me, but I couldn't take you to the hospital."
After completing his task, he released her arm. Pulling her arm away, cold shivers prickled Carrie's skin. Each breath rattled her lungs, and her heart pounded. Although the man advised against moving her body, she ignored him and headed to the window. Once she glanced outside, she froze. The sky and the ocean replaced the land. The room swayed as sunlight seeped through the window and moved across the floor.
Carrie backed herself into a wall, panting. Her body temperature rose as adrenaline shot through her system. She would call for help, but what would happen if the authorities found her? Would they have her detained and later taken to jail? Or would they kill her?
The man tried to soothe the situation. "Calm down."
"W-Where am I?" Her voice shrilled with fear. "Where are you taking me?"
"I can explain, but first, calm down."
Scared, Carrie drew deep breaths. Her gaze remained fixed on the man as she curled against the wall. Fear gripped her like a vice, squeezing her. Her heart raced as she tried to fight the rising panic.
The stranger sat on Carrie's cot, his face calm. "This might shock you, but you're on a ship. On my way home to Tibet, I found your body on the beach. Something terrible must have happened to you, so I brought you here. Maybe you're a runaway, fleeing an abusive boyfriend or your parents. Whatever the reason, I sensed you were trying to escape. I can't assume what you've been through, nor will I ask, but this I promise you. Once we arrive on land, you can roam anywhere you like."
The man's kindness shocked Carrie. How could someone act like that? However, she pictured what would happen if he took her to the hospital. Would doctors have treated her or called the police? In either case, she would never see daylight again.
"A-Are you sure?" she asked. "Y-You won't send me to a roadhouse or...?"
The man waved his hand. "No. A lovely girl like you deserves to live free and happy."
Carrie lowered her head. "Don't call me that, sir. Nobody would refer to me as that. They called me a sinner, creepy…."
"I doubt that is true. Once I finish changing your bandages, I will bring breakfast for us. What do you want to eat?"
Carrie fell silent. Through the man's kindness, she escaped her fate. With grim certainty, she closed her eyes. "It doesn't matter."
Nothing did.