Chapter 22

I couldn't move, speak, or think, but I couldn't sleep either. Pain was the only think I was aware of, and the lack of oxygen in my lungs. Adrenaline rushed through my veins, and I knew I had to get out somehow. Staying where I was meant death, and I must not die. I must save myself. I struggled against my body to move, and I reached out my hand a little on the carpet.

I couldn't open my eyes, but I thought I heard rain outside wherever I was. Where was I again?

My fingers brushed the carpet, and I gritted my teeth and kept reaching out helplessly.

Crawl, Julia! Crawl! Get out or you'll die!

I was too tired to move, and my hand fell weakly against the carpet as the darkness took hold of me again.

I woke from my nightmares, struggling to breathe, my hand extended uselessly on the carpet. My belly was pressed against the ground, and I could feel my heartbeat drumming throughout my entire body. I wanted to sleep some more, but there came a dull reminder to move and get out, or I'd die. Adrenaline coursed through me, and I struggled to open my eyes. Everything was blurry and slanting before me, and I wondered if there was something wrong with my vision. I moved my arm as if to touch my eyes, but the endeavor was too hard and my arm fell limply against the carpet. I dragged both my hands slowly to my sides, panting and beginning to shake. My ribs screamed.

Crawl, crawl, crawl!

I braced myself, and then pushed with all my might against the ground, but I couldn't push myself up. I tried again and moved slightly, but a powerful pain overcame me and the blackness returned.

The rain was loud, and I forced my eyes open again.

Get out or you'll die! You can't give up!

I pushed on the ground and kept pushing until I began to lift my chest up off of the ground.

Firecrackers went off in multiple places in my body, and I collapsed and groped for the rain to put out the fire, but the water was miles away. The torturous pain engulfed my body, and my mind was pounding and screaming not to accept the inevitable death.

Fire! Ray had set me on fire!

I pried open my mouth to scream, but no sound escaped except my ragged breathing.

I tried to call for help, and nonsensical syllables tumbled out in a whisper until the rain grew louder and consumed them. I protested against the blackness, but it refused to leave me alone.

I heard yelling in the background, and I wanted to yell too, but I couldn't. I knew that I must try again to escape, to crawl out the window and live, so I stretched out my hand toward the window, toward freedom and safety. I tried to move, but I was stuck in place.

I was filled with intense pain, fear, and helplessness and I began to cry weakly, but the when I gasped I set off the firecrackers, so I struggled to stop and control my breath.

There were loud noises in the background, and I reached out as far as I could, then realized reaching out, as difficult as it was, didn't help at all to save me. I tried desperately to ignore the pain and think of an escape plan when a firm, warm hand gripped my shoulder.

I breathed in sharply and felt light-headed, but I poured all of my consciousness into a whisper, "Leave me alone. Please… Please don't kill me. It hurts…"

The hand didn't go away, and it didn't hurt me.

"Julia…"

My mind went blank, and then my whole being was filled with a powerful yearning.

I didn't attempt to move or open my eyes as Piero's hands gently turned me over and lifted me.

"Ah!" I gasped in agony, as the firecrackers went off again.

But I was lifted from the horrible floor and cradled in safe, strong, gentle arms. There was a pounding throughout me, but I could feel the strong arms around me, holding my tormented body in one piece.

"Julia? Julia?" He kept saying my name, and his voice was despairingly broken.

Raindrops dripped on my face, and I slowly forced my eyes open and saw that they were actually Piero's tears.

"Julia?"

I parted my lips and gathered my remaining strength into a whispered plea, "Piero."

His tears fell onto my cheeks, replacing the ones I was too weak to cry.

"I've got you."

He held me in his arms, and my body relaxed despite the gripping pain. I felt one arm under my lower back and thighs, and the other was around my shoulders, with his hand holding my head against his shoulder. His chest rose and fell as he cried, gently moving along my side. I gave up fighting to get out as I gave myself up to Piero. This time I welcomed the blackness as Piero began to walk, very carefully supporting my broken body as he moved through the house.

I slept fitfully, surrounded by bits of things going on, bits of information reaching my senses.

I didn't open my eyes as things went on around me, fading in and out of sleep, gripped by pain but no longer by fear. I let everything happen and didn't struggle. I let everyone touch me and speak around me and about me, and I didn't pay attention to anything in particular.

There were cool sheets…A cold room…Piero sobbing beside me … A woman fiddling with my arm...my head cradled in someone's warm hands…a soft kiss on my cheek…my hand clasped in someone else's…bright lights above me that blinded me even through my closed lids… something cold in my arm…and I fell into a deep sleep with someone's words of love touching upon my ears.