8. The Nightmares
1080 Words
Riya's POV :
...." They are chasing me as I'm running away, it's dark and the rain is pouring down, pricking my skin like ice. I shivered hiding behind a tree, I closed my mouth choking on my sobs, my breathing was uneven. I heard their voices coming closer, making me curl myself close to the tree. Suddenly I was laying on the hard wooden floor. My hands were tied behind my back, ankles tied together and eyes blindfolded. I hear voices, as I struggle to untie the rope. I smell a familiar perfume and distant voices. I hear boot steps nearing me I struggled even more to untie the rope but every time I tried it was only futile attempts, leaving gashes on my skin. I whimpered trying to scream, the gag inside my mouth made it even more harder with the tears running down on my cheeks.
I was hanging down the ceiling, my body sore with wounds and gashes. My tears had dried up and there was no energy to scream. Fire, there was fire everywhere. Insects, slimy worms were crawling on my skin. I shrieked. Slut, w***e, skank they're calling me. Blood, lots of blood everywhere. They're laughing, it's echoing around the wall. They're going to kill me, I know. I was enveloped in fire, I closed my eyes thinking about my mom and dad, my friends and the memories I had with them. I was calm, finally I will be freed from this pain I thought to myself. Fire engulfed me, I didn't fight back. I let it happen… "
I woke up with a jerk, my body is drenched in sweat. The room was closing on me, it was so dark. I struggled to breath, my anxiety was seeping in. My heart is beating way too fast. I reached for the night lamp beside me. After so much struggle I turned it on. I curled into a ball, hugging myself rocking back and forth. I closed my eyes and kept saying, "I'm alright, I'm safe in my home, no one can harm me" in my head. I took a deep and slow steady breath. After what felt like an eternity, I felt alright. My breathing and heartbeat was back to normal. "Post traumatic stress disorder," I whispered to myself. Events of my haunting days and the same nightmares. I rubbed my face with a tissue. I got down from the bed, my legs were shaky. I balanced myself taking slow steady steps and opened my bedroom door. The living room light was on and Caleb was not on the couch, instead his blanket laid there messed up.
I went inside the kitchen to have some water. Much to my surprise Caleb was there stirring something in the pot, repeating the lyrics of his favourite "I'm in love with the shape of you." I opened the refrigerator door and grabbed a water bottle but my clammy hands didn't coordinate and it fell down on the floor. Caleb turned around at the sudden noise and looked at me. I hurriedly bent down and took the bottle in my hand, closing the lid. I stood up and looked at him taking a shaky breath, I knew he knew it. He came close to me and took the bottle from my hand keeping it on the kitchen counter. He hugged me tight, rubbing on my back whispering, "Shh Ray, you're alright. We are here, you're safe." I held his shirt tight in my hand, a small whimper escaped my lips.
First tear drop rolled down my cheeks and that's all it took for me to break down completely in his arms. I don't know how long I cried, but he held me in his hold and kept rubbing my back whispering "You're going to be alright Ray, you're here," repeatedly. Finally my tears dried up, I left his shirt and wiped my sweaty hands on my t-shirt and looked at him. He wiped the tears below my eyes and smiled softly. We smelt something burning, "Oh gosh" we said at the same time. We rushed to the gas stove, the pasta no longer looked edible, it was burnt completely looking like a charcoal. He shooed me away from the kitchen asking to sit on the couch.
I sat on the couch closing my eyes. I should visit the detective tomorrow and ask about the proceedings and know if there is any lead, I thought to myself. Caleb came out of the kitchen with two plates in his hand and sat next to me. "Instant noodles," our favourite dish and the best comfort food. I dug in taking a big bite with my fork. I moaned in taste, "Caleb, you the best" I said, having my mouthful. He rolled his eyes and ate it from his plate. We ate in silence, a comforting silence engulfing us. I took the last bite and licked my fingers clean. I took his plate from him and went inside the kitchen keeping the plates on the sink washing my hands.
Coming out of the kitchen, I sat next to him as I saw Caleb blushing looking at his phone. I nudged his shoulders, wiggling my eyebrows. He threw a pillow on me asking me to shut up. I laughed, throwing the pillow back at him and asked, "So who is it?" He looked at the ceiling before looking at me, "A guy I met during one of my performances in a club last month. I like him Ray and he is organising an event tomorrow for which he has sent me invites." I cut him off in the middle saying, " You should definitely go." He rolled his eyes saying, "Of course I'm going dumbo but I want you to come with me." I gave him a look that said, are you kidding me and asked, "Why me?" To which he replied, "I really really like him Ray and I want you to meet him, please" giving me his famous puppy dog eyes. It was my turn to roll my eyes, "Ok ok fine I'll come with you now stop it."
He fistbumped in the air saying, "Yes." I smiled looking at him. After talking for some more time, we bid each other good night and headed to sleep. A little bird inside my head, kept chirping. This event is going to change the path of my life, but silly of me to let it slide…
- Writer
