Page 43 of Locked Souls
My mouth feels dry and I could use a drink. My body is stiff, and when I try to open my eyes, they are crusty.
“What did we do last night?” I mumble, attempting to open my eyes again. When I do, they burn and I wince.
There is a bright light shining over my face, but I can't make out much else.
“Well, it looks like my darling daughter has decided to finally wake up.”
“Mom?” I croak, and cringe when she starts to laugh.
“Wow, Tempest, you've really fucked things up, haven't you? I sent you away to repent for your dirty ways, and instead, you end up knocked up with a bastard, and back into the den of iniquity.”
“I… What's going on?” I try to remember where I was last, or what I was doing, but everything feels cloudy.
“Oh, give it up, you little slut. You're an embarrassment to me and everyone around you. I should have sold your worthless ass a long time ago.”
“Mom, stop. I don't understand.” I wish someone would move the light away from my face.
My limbs feel like they are frozen, and I'm trying like hell to move.
“Don't bother. Isa gave you a double dose of Paradise. I just wanted one more look at you before she breaks you.”
“Please, Mom, don't do this. I have a baby.” My words are slurred, and I'm not sure if she can even decipher what I'm saying, but I have to try.
For my baby. For Romeo. For Jacob and Otto, and the family we've made together. For my best friend, who will die if something happens to me.
“Goodbye, Tempest. You should have never disobeyed me. All I ever wanted was for you to repent. But it's too late. Enjoy Hell, darling.”
Her heels click as she moves further away from me.
“No, come back. Mom!” I scream, but she never stops walking. The click of her heels continues until a large door slams, echoing around wherever I am, and I know she's left me here
I don't know how long I've laid here for, but my body begins to tremble, and I'm not sure if it's because I'm terrified of what's to come, or the chill.
I'm finally able to wiggle my fingers, and I can tell now that I'm restrained to a metal table and my clothes are gone.
Shuffling in the corner of the room has me on edge. Am I not alone?
“Hello. Is there anyone there?” I yell, waiting for a response.
Someone groans and I freeze. Oh God, is this how I die? Trapped in some unknown location, where they will never find my body.
I don't want to leave this Earth yet. I want to get married and have more babies. I want to call Roman and King, and see them again.
I want to tell Otto what he means to me. I want more bubble baths and girl talk with my best friend. I want more late nights with Jacob watching Gossip Girl.
Tears fall down my cheeks in abundance. I'm sobbing and shaking, pleading and praying to anyone that will listen.
The door in the corner opens, slamming against the wall, and the light above me shuts off, causing me to see spots.
I blink and continue to pray. Closing my eyes, I picture a future that I'm afraid I'll never get to see.
Rome and Eli are making sandcastles on the beach, while Charity toddles along in the sand as Levi chases after her.
Otto and Jacob are holding our daughter, while King is rocking our newborn son to sleep.
There is so much love and laughter, and I wish more than anything that it can come true.
But as cold hands grab my body, and I feel another sharp pin prick on my neck, I know that it's just a dream, a fantasy, and my present, my now, is never going to allow such foolish wishes.