I know its been ages since my last update, but I really didn't have time to update, as much as I wanted to. I blame exams.
I want to thank the reviewers and those following the story, for bearing with me through this process.
Shout-out to new reviewer SickRose! Thanks for reviewing.
Apologies for any grammar or spelling mistakes. The words in italics are characters speaking using their mind o.0 enjoy!
Claire's POV
I didn't realize what was happening. As I floated towards the corpse, too weak to fight, too damaged to do anything about it. The room before me swayed and shifted, objects blurring and disappearing. I only registered the three figures, all sitting in a circle, surrounding the body. The 3 men had cords tied around their wrists, joined together in a circuit, with odd objects and a machine between them. I noticed the same cords were wrapped around her wrists, looking odd among her pale skin tone. I should know it was me but, this stranger looked peaceful and, well it's hard to compare myself with myself.
I floated closer, a numbing feeling coming over me, lulling me into sleep, for me to fall under its influence. Inches above my body, I saw red. It blossomed and bloomed over the pale dress. A pair of pale hands flashed underneath me, to press on the wound.
"She's bleeding! How's that possible? Is it that damn machine?" Michael shouted. It was strangely comical to see him sitting there, looking worried as Myrnin mopped me up.
"This happened before I turned it on, remember?" Myrnin screeched, grabbing more tissue as he tried to control himself. I remember, before Michael told him…to turn it on. After Hiram, after he clawed me…and kicked me. A shudder ran through me as I tried to stay upright, to control my shaking form, as my wounds throbbed inside.
"Shane! Stay there! It just needs to warm up; you're not helping anyone by breaking contact." Again, he screeched, his eyes flashing red. More objects disappeared. More of my sight became blind spots. They were disappearing before my eyes, turning into a white nothingness. I didn't know what was happening; frankly I was too tired to figure it out, the riddles and the mysteries of this place, the machine and the pains.
I doubled over in agony, as I reached for my neck. It was like I was dying, all over again, my soul being torn open, my neck being broken. I could barely hang on, but this didn't stop from the pain spreading. It travelled to my face, again, the sensation of claws, just whispering over my skin, as it shredded my cheek. Everything around me faded, transformed into a brilliant white landscape.
I blocked everything out, every single memory that was out to get me, there to hurt me that reduced me to be here, only a whimper in the nothingness.
…..
I have no idea how long I had been lying there. The pain didn't stop, but a new sensation has made itself known. Pressure. Just a little bit of pressure on my shoulder, just enough to make itself known. I didn't move, sensing another threat, another memory. When have I become this caged animal? Scared of every mention of human life
I slowly and painfully rolled over, to be greeted by 3 anxious faces. Their faces seemed to drop as they took me in, the sight that has become me. My cheek was still flowing, if only reduced by the pressure of my hand. My head too, from the kicks, hurt like hell and the feeling of light-headness flooded me. My hair was a tangled mess, and my dress stained in blood. I looked like a survivor of a major attack.
Claire? Are you there? A tentative voice asked, laced with concern and love. Even as no-one has moved their mouths to make the sounds, I Knew it came from Shane. While the two others stayed behind, he approached, looking me over and wincing at the bruises.
Claire? We're here to help you. To bring you back. Again, his tone upset me. It carried all of its longings, and the hope as it echoed around the nothingness. I didn't respond, I didn't want to cause anymore hurt or loss. I still didn't know what was happening, why they were here, how this is all possible. I turned to the person who most likely would have the answer.
"How?" my voice barely a whisper, directed at Myrnin. All of them were crowding around me, to get a better look, to help, somehow. Michael's eyes were full of concern, his eyes sparkling as he held back his tears. He's been through a lot, and I returned a small smile. That's all I could afford.
The machine. It worked Claire, we're going to get you back. Shane will start. He grinned like a school boy, happy at my survival but his eyes clouding over me and my shyness.
Shane approached slowly and sat down next to me. It was weird to be next to him, but my fear and the spreading pain stopped me from hugging him. What if this is a dream? What if I finally moved on, wherever we go after death? I couldn't ask these questions as Shane carefully brought my hands up, away from my face with the smallest of smiles. I didn't know what he was doing, but he carefully moved down to my wrists, giving me a jolt.
A rush of energy, as if I was drinking him. His memories of me flooded through, of how we first met, the first kiss, the awkwardness of me being younger than him, the times we spent at common grounds, how he would beat me at video games…it was all too much. I couldn't bear this, this reminder of my life. It only made me want to howl more, to escape this torture, for it was the good times that were worth living for.
He backed away, his face ashen, and as Myrnin placed his hand on his shoulder, he just…disappeared. Like the pieces of furniture, pixelating before my very eyes. I didn't know what to do but look around wildly, as Myrnin stepped forward.
We will all take turns. Shane gave the least for he has less, since he is human. You need this to come back, for all of you to come back. Again, he smiled, not flashing the fangs back or anything as he let Michael step up.
Michael looked rugged and tired a shadow of what he really is. He, the same as Shane, wrapped around his cool hands around my wrist, giving up his energy. Again, memories flashed, mostly when I moved into the glass house, then the last, as he held Eve, as she cried over me. I was a spectator among these thoughts, watching from the background, as I usually do. Sensing my sadness, he pulled away and sighed. I couldn't do anything but try to make it all right.
"It'll work out Michael, It always does" I whispered, my voice louder this time. He looked at me and smiled, vanishing like Shane had. Only this time, as he vanished, his smile remained.
I looked over at Myrnin as he was looking around. He seemed to be fascinated by the nothingness around him. Precious time slipped as I sat there, waiting for something to happen.
Intriguing .I would have guessed your mind to be…more cramped. But this. This is heaven. We can't all be crazy. With that, he dashed forward, hands around my wrist as he fed me energy. His own energy. It wasn't like Michaels, strong and pure, it also wasn't like Shane's, which was full of emotion, and Myrnins was dark and mysterious, much more concentrated than the others. No memories flashed, only a tiny glimpse of Ada, as he pulled his hand away.
That should be enough for you. See you on the other side. He too, left me, like the others, his bunny slippers mocking me as he left, but there was nothing special about being left here, alone, in the nothingness. As I mulled over what happened, the pain soaring, I laid back and closed my eyes.
…
It was hard. I never felt like this before, nor did I know the how hard it was to live. I had to take breaths to steady myself and to be mentally stable. I felt my body respond to the oxygen, I felt the subtle beating of my heart and the churn of my stomach. I didn't try to move yet, to get up or open my eyes, but a large ringing voice forced me from my slumber.
As I opened my eyes, I was greeted by the sight of utter love from Shane, and utter panic from the rest. It seems like my wounds weren't imaginary after all.
Well, there you go, Claire is back!Yay! I'l try to update in a few days but in the meantime review! Let me know what you think, hope it wasn't too horrible. Thanks for reading.