Hello Darkness

This is a continuation of the post, Hello Darkness.

Below she adds her voice to Sid’s. Growling at me, they make their entreaties. Earlier, back when I was really the under twenty that my body resembles, they would talk to you. It was funny, the things you said: Come here. I want to talk. Just a moment. Slow down.

I remember so plainly running through the snow. At every footfall the compacted ice threatened to resend my step and let me fall helpless into the cold. It would have mattered little; I didn’t know I was in Hell yet. I ran as you all followed in your jerking uneasy gait. Arms stretched out of nowhere, curling fingers hooking onto any scrap of clothing they touched.

I heard all your voices, calling in desynchronized garble, shouting after me to stay. The razor cold made each desperate breath taste of blood. Finally, one of you did get a good enough hold. My running feet found no traction, but momentum carried them forward. Anchored at my shoulder, I watched my spindly legs flying out into the bright white winter sky.

I came crashing down, my head striking the exposed pavement of the well-traversed main road. I remember being preoccupied with the cold as your teeth and hands tore at my coat, then my shirt, and my flesh. As each layer was peeled off, I felt winter’s breath reach deeper and deeper into my bones.

There are more shamblers climbing the hill now. That one in the dress has found my tree. Staring up at me with faded grey eyes, her mouth opening and closing like a fish, she stretches her rotting arms towards me.

Other Posts:
Hello Darkness
In Restless Dreams