* Per the request of a certain reviewer, FreedomisnotFree996, I've added another chapter, this one. And there will be ANOTHER after this! READ AND REVIEW!
Arthur sighed. It was times like this, where he lay stretched out on the lawn chair inside the warehouse, alone in the room, when he could sort through his inner most thoughts. Of course, usually he was laying there by choice, not because Yusuf said he had to because apparently you shouldn't move around too much after just getting a bullet removed from your side.
Anyways, he lay there staring irritably at the ceiling wondering, what if Jimmy had been right?
You can't think like that, Arthur. You can't think like that...
His breathing increased, becoming heavier as his heart pounded worridly against his ribcage. Arthur pulled out his red die, and it shook violently in his trembling hand. He took in deep breaths, trying to get ahold of himself and rolled it.
It tumbled, as if in slow motion, rolling, rolling... seemingly forever...
Don't look at it Arthur. You're awake, be confident of that fact! You're awake, Jimmy Quinston didn't know any better but you do! Don't be stupid, you're awake and you know it, you're being paranoid.
Rolling, rolling...
What if I'm not awake? What if Jimmy was right? After all, pain IS in the mind, and that's why I could feel the bullet. I never died because Cobb, Eames, and Yusuf all think we're awake! But we're not! I can escape the pain, all I have to do... is die.
Rolling, rolling... two, three, six, one, two... rolling, rolling...
No! I'm awake, I have to be! If I kill myself and I'm not dreaming... I die. For real. But I am dreaming! We're gonna be stuck in the dream world, and won't accept reality as reality like Mal... God, what do I do?
Rolling, rolling, rolling...
No, I'm dreaming, a die couldn't possibly roll for THAT long... It's like it's slow motion... Or am I just really tired and seeing things? Can't be tired if I'm dreaming. But who says I'm tired? I don't think I am... Am I? Dammnit, am I certain of ANYTHING anymore?
Rolling...
I've got to be dreaming. Why wouldn't I be? Jimmy was right, but there's probably not enough of the sedative left for him to get back into the dream to tell us, he's up there alone, while we think he's dead! He's alive, and we're all still dreaming!
Rolling...
But what if I'm wrong? I'll die. I can't take that chance. Goddammnit! How the hell do I become certain of this? Certainty is how I get through life! I can't not have the facts. I can't...
Arthur reached for the surgeon's knife sitting conveniently in Yusuf's open kit. He turned it over carefully in his hand and took a deep breath, raising the knife...
There were voices from another room approaching, they were discussing something, probably still oblivious of the fact that they were still dreaming.
Arthur took another deep breath, closed his eyes and his arm plunged down...
"ARTHUR NO!"