Mystery
1040 Words
Mira
Something pressed down on my chest, and I realized I couldn’t breathe.
My lungs were full, stuffed with something heavy and cold, yet my throat burned like it was being squeezed from the inside out. I tried to suck in air, to cry out, but my lips wouldn’t part. I couldn’t even move my tongue.
Panic twisted deep in my stomach. I was aware, way too aware of my body but completely disconnected from it. My arms were there, my legs too, but none of them would respond. It was like I was trapped inside a body that had stopped being mine.
I wanted to open my eyes, scream, kick, and move, but I couldn’t.
Then I felt a heavy weight above me, so obvious I could almost feel it against my skin.
It was subtle at first, like warm breath teasing across my cheek. The air grew humid and made me break out in sweat, heat wrapping around me like fog, until I could almost feel his skin brushing mine. His presence loomed just inches away, hovering and watching.
My heart thundered inside my chest. Or was that his heartbeat?
He was close enough that I could feel the heat rolling off him. I could have raised my arm and tried to touch him but my muscles were frozen in place, rendering me immobile.
I still couldn’t open my eyes. My body remained frozen, helpless beneath whatever presence pinned me in place.
Then I felt long, rough fingers wrapped around my throat, slowly and deliberately, like they were savoring it.
I couldn’t scream or resist the touch or attempted assassination. The pressure increased, a slow, agonizing squeeze. I thrashed inside my head, willing my body to fight back, but nothing responded. Just more darkness and more pressure.
I was going to die.
Right here in my bed, strangled by something I couldn’t see, couldn’t stop, or even comprehend.
And then, I woke up, gasping loudly and choking.
Sweat drenched my body, cold and clinging to my skin. My chest heaved as I scrambled upright in bed, fists clenching the sheets like they were my lifeline. My throat felt sore, like someone had actually grabbed it. My heart wouldn’t slow down, slamming against my ribs with every jagged breath.
I looked around.
The room was dim, grey light seeping in through the curtains. The rain had stopped, leaving behind the kind of stillness that made it seem like nothing happened the night before.
Juno’s bed was empty, her pillow neatly fluffed. Of course, she was already at class and I was alone. Again.
I turned slowly toward the window. My breath hitched. But when I looked out, I saw nothing. There was no hooded figure and no dripping silhouette waiting in the rain. Just my warped reflection of pale face, bloodshot eyes and trembling lips staring back at me through the glass.
It was just a dream, I told myself. Just another dream. But it hadn’t felt like a dream. Not at all.
Still, I had to shake it off. Today was a sports day. I'd already been out sick once this week, and missing again would only give Raven more ammunition.
I stood slowly, still feeling a little dazed, and made my way toward the small sink near the corner. My bare feet sank into the rug, the softness grounding me.
I splashed cold water on my face and reached up to brush the hair away from my forehead, only to flinch, expecting a stinging pain from the night before. But there was no pain. I froze.
Cautiously, I reached up again and pressed my fingers to the spot where I’d slammed my head into that stone the night before. The skin was smooth, barely sensitive. I felt no sting, blood or swelling.
I leaned closer to the mirror, my breath fogging the glass, and parted my damp hair. There, where the gash had been last night, was nothing but a faint scar, coloured pale pink and looking like it had healed overnight.
I blinked. My fingers trembled as I touched it again, more firmly this time.
Still, I felt nothing.
A thousand thoughts collided in my head all at once. There was no way. That was just last night. Juno patched me up, so, maybe she used something powerful. Maybe a numbing agent? Maybe…
I yanked my hand back and looked down at my palm, the one that had been scraped bloody during my fall. It, too, had healed.
The skin was smooth, except for a soft, pink trace like it had happened months ago, not hours. I stumbled backward, my breath catching.
This isn’t normal. None of this is normal.
Was I hallucinating? Imagining things? Was my brain playing tricks on me from the stress of it all? I placed both hands on the edge of the sink, forcing myself to breathe.
You’re not crazy, I told myself. There has to be a reason. Maybe something Juno used. Or adrenaline. Or—I stopped thinking. Overthinking would only make it worse.
I shook it off and turned to the wardrobe, yanking it open. I needed to focus on something I could control, like getting ready.
I peeled off my damp nightshirt and stepped into the bathroom again. The shower hissed to life, warm steam soon curling around the room. I let it soak into my skin, washing away the sweat, fear, and tension clinging to me like a second skin.
By the time I stepped out and wrapped a towel around myself, I felt steadier. I didn't feel okay yet, or fine. But I felt functional and that was enough.
I dressed in my Thornvale gym uniform, fitted track pants and a loose, white T-shirt that still smelled faintly of detergent. I pulled my hair into a low bun, not wanting to deal with it today. Not wanting to deal with anything, really.
Just as I reached for my sneakers, my eyes flicked back to the window. There was still nothing. Just grey sky and trembling tree branches.
Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone had been watching me the nigt before. Maybe the prank Raven pulled just had a strong effect on my brain.
- Writer
