Falsum Caelum

Chapter II

Blurry vision distorts everything around me. The noises I can hear are muffled and blended. I feel... It's hard to describe. I feel awake and asleep simultaneously, like my body is sleeping, but my mind is awake. There's a prickly, tingling sensation throughout my body, like when your leg falls asleep, and you feel prickles throughout it. When I gather the strength to open my eyes, all I can see are white lights and blurry figures mixing. I feel like I'm on a moving bed, like a stretcher. What are they doing with me? Where are they taking me? I can't remember anything that happened during the last few hours. After the party, everything went dark. Just then, my hearing becomes a bit clearer, and I can make out a few words and gentle humming noises that sound like they're coming from a machine of some kind.

"Prepare subject for..."

"Removing..."

"Abandon."

That's all I can hear. Suddenly, the voices stop, and I'm sliding down some sort of laundry-chute thing. I would probably have felt the pain from hitting whatever is at the bottom of this thing had it not been for the numbness that had taken over my entire body. All I feel are the soft pricklings that run throughout my body. I feel so tired all of a sudden. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get some rest since I cannot do much else...

**********

My eyes flutter open, and now I can fully see my surroundings. I am in a cold, desolate wasteland. There's nothing but dead trees, dark skies, and craggy terrain as far as the eye can see. What happened?! Why am I in a place like this?! I would be more scared if not for the throbbing pain in my head and legs- my legs. I look down to see my legs are crooked and twisted. They're covered in blood and bruises. I must've hit the ground legs first when I fell here... I feel like crying, screaming, and throwing up, so I do all three in that order. This is horrible. What am I supposed to do now? I'll die out here from starvation or dehydration.

I can never remember which kills first. The cold wind tosses my hair in my face violently and blows the skirt of my dress up like a curtain blowing in the wind from a window. I look behind me to see a large, looming metal structure with a completely flat surface. This must be Haven's Wall... There was probably an opening in the wall where they slid my body through and dumped me out. Like a piece of garbage. Why? What did I do to deserve this? What happened that would make them resort to aborting me out of my home, my safe haven, for no reason? I feel my body start to tremble as I accept my fate. I'm going to die out here. I feel so weak. I must've used the last bit of strength I had to cry and projectile vomit. If I'm going to die, I suppose lying down wouldn't be so bad. There is nothing I can do to help or defend myself. I rest my head on the bloodied rock that it hit earlier and close my eyes...

"Hey! You there!"

I jolt up in response to the unexpected voice. I can't believe it! There's someone out here who can help me!

"Hello?!" I cry out to whoever it is in desperation, "Who are you?! Can you help me?! I'm badly hurt!"

A cloaked figure moves swiftly towards me but hesitates to get too close as they stop at a dead tree, still a ways away from me. It's kind of creepy. They're just standing there. Watching me. As if they're waiting for me to get up and attack them.

"What's your name?" the husky, male voice asks me, sounding eerily calm.

"My name is Jophiel! I broke both of my legs, and I need help! Please!"

My cheeks feel hot from the stressfulness of the situation, but also the excitement of someone who will possibly save me.

"Jophiel. I see."

The man makes his way over to me. As he draws near, I can begin to make out more of his features. He's muscular, wearing a sleeveless shirt under his hooded cloak, revealing his dark-skinned arms. A long black braid drapes down out the darkness of his hood. The only thing I cannot see is his face, since his hood makes it far too dark.

"Do not move."

He picks me up and slings me over his shoulder like a sack, keeping a firm grip on me.

"Thank you, sir... Thank you so much.." I thank him over and over again with tears running down my face. I owe him one for saving my life; I really do. He silently walks away from my crash site and does not speak to me or even say, 'you're welcome.' He just silently moves across the rocky, barren wasteland. Even though he showed kindness towards me, the way his hand is holding me says anything but kindness. His grip is harsh. I've never felt such anger just from someone's hand. After only a few more minutes, my eyes feel heavy again, and as I'm left to the mercy of this stranger carrying me, everything fades to black.