Tortured Memories
NOTE: Please read with this music in mind:
The air was stale and cold. An ambience of emptiness filled the area. It was nothing but a dark abyss. R’isannah found herself standing in the center of it all. Wearing her night top and shorts with bare feet. She stood for a time, then she became aware of the emptiness.
What’s happening? She thought with not a single ounce of emotion in her mind.
Her legs felt heavy and weak. She had no recollection of how she got here. No idea what here was. Yet she had no desire to find a way out. She slowly glanced around the emptiness with her eyes, nothing of interest. She raised her hand to her face, staring blankly at her palm to check if she was real.
Behind her echoed a bout of laughter. Her posture straightened. She focused her ears on the sounds. The sound of feet on gravel appeared. More and more sets of feet joined it over a short time. The laughter getting closer. Then, as it was nearly on top of her, she felt a hard shove on her shoulder. She snapped her head to attention, trying to balance herself. She watched in sheer horror as a figure walked past her. It was a tall, slender Miqo’te woman. Her hair slicked back in choppy strands with piercing eyes an egg yolk yellow. She laughed obnoxiously as she passed, disappearing into the darkness just a few feet off.
How the hell is sh—Her thought was cut short as another bump hit her other shoulder. A slightly shorter woman with beautiful short hair and missed matched eyes appeared. She walked a few steps then glanced back at Risa, smiling, then wandering off into nothing. The sight of these people terrified her. Her head was spinning.
Just moments later a loud running sound zoomed past her. This time a young boy sprinted by. He seemed in a hurry, out of breath and sweating as he ran. Behind him a lovely humming. He was followed closely by a petite lady appearing to be in her late 30’s. Her hand brushed over Risa’s arm sweetly. The two faded.
She clutched her shirt, grabbing at it. She staggered and fell to a knee. Her eyes darting around unnaturally. No, no, NO! she screamed silently, her mind racing. But just as she was about black out, a friendly ‘Hey’ sounded off at her back. She slowly turned her head as she started to lose her mind. A muscular man stood with an arm outstretched to her. He had greying hair but soft and welcoming eyes. They two stayed silent for many moments. Risa at her wits end, completely shaken. He grinned and began to speak happily.
“It’s time to head home, R’isannah—” Her eyes focused on his face trying to see clearly. A wave of white light raced towards them from beyond him. She tried to stand, forcing her body forward onto her feet. She shot her hand out in front, grasping for his hand. The light began to devour his being. She ran as fast as her feet allowed. Just before everything became consumed by this brightness she screamed.
“Father!”