Chapter 6.5 - A Reflection

It hurts here. Every time I try to move to see more it feels like I am running myself through a thousand shards of broken glass. It is worth it though, to see moments of him. To reach out. It’s dark now at least, I can make out where to go next without it hurting quite so much. 

What is that familiar sound? Soft snoring? It can only be his. I wonder if I can warn him this time, get him to take me seriously. Damn it I’m right here, why can’t you see me? 

Pain. Dragged away by a light I can’t avoid, but this time I can see a spot of darkness, not too far away. Can I make it there? Even through this pain? I have to try.

It hurts. More than anything, but I step into that darkness, through the whirlwind of sharp glass, through some unseen wall. I can see a small table, lit by a candle and piled high with books. He’s sat there, reading carefully with that ridiculous focussing look on his face. Then he’s gone, darkness still here but the light is swinging this way. I can see her for a moment. I swing my fist forward, slamming it straight into the broken pieces, agony be damned, again and again. She notices.

The light is coming, you need to get back to him! And then she is gone too, the light moving away with them. Back into the pain, I can’t leave them alone in this.

It takes what feels like forever, but I see a flicker of his face again, and I realise where I am. Back, stood among the thousands. I start screaming.

“Please, help me help them!”

 My voice is lost in the silent whirlwind. But some do turn to see me. I can see the light dawning, closing in on them both, and I start slamming my bloody fists again and again and again. I hear another impact other than mine, and another, two middle aged people I don’t know, a man and a woman, screaming and slamming their fists in unison with my own. I don’t have time to thank them. It’s so close to them now, one mistake and it is all over.

The light is moving on from them now. I slump down, panic filling me as I remember. Pain takes me again. I hope I can hold out, even if it's just to see him one more time.

Can I hear sobbing again or is that laughter?