Agony

Audra

As I plummeted from the window, the world blurred in and out of focus. My screams tore through the night, raw with terror. The ground rushed toward me, and for one agonizing moment, I understood—this is how I die. Then—impact. Agony exploded through me. My face smashed into the ground first, glass embedding deeper into my skull, sending fresh waves of pain pulsing through my head. The taste of iron filled my mouth as warm, thick blood dripped down my face. My ribs cracked under my weight, the sickening crunch reverberating through my ears. I tried to move, to breathe, but pain pinned me down, trapping me inside my broken body. Tears blurred my vision. Then, suddenly—everything shifted. I was outside myself, hovering above the scene. My broken form lay crumpled on the ground, blood pooling beneath me. I tried to scream, to move, but I was stuck, a prisoner in this strange, disembodied state. Luna rushed over, kneeling beside me. She placed two fingers on my neck, searching for a pulse, but her face remained unreadable. She shook her head, murmuring something under her breath. I wanted to shout. I'm here! I'm not dead! But no one would hear me. I watched helplessly as they carried my limp body down to the lab. Luna worked with practiced efficiency, extracting shards of glass, stitching wounds, and hooking me up to monitors. My eyes flicked to the heart monitor. Silent. Not a single beep. Am I really dead? Panic swelled inside me. My body was right there, yet I couldn't force myself back into it. Again and again, I tried to push my way in, only to be flung back. The more I struggled, the lighter I felt—fading, dissolving. No. Not like this. Please…

Then—blackness.

Two Weeks Later

Thump… Thump…

The slow, heavy sound of a heartbeat.

Thump-thump.

My heart.

Pain surged through me, dragging me back into my body like a wave pulling a drowning victim under. My nerves screamed as sensation returned—a firestorm of aching muscles and deep, bone-deep agony. I wanted to cry out, but my lips wouldn't move. My eyes refused to open. I was locked inside myself, a prisoner in a shell that barely functioned. Then, warmth. It wasn't physical—there was no water, no IV—yet it surrounded me, seeped into my skin, into my bones. The burning pain dulled, replaced by soothing relief. My lips curled slightly. Water. Did I do that? I forced my eyelids open, blinking against the dimness. Darkness cloaked the room, shadows creeping along the walls. My body, once broken, was whole. My cuts had vanished, my bones no longer fractured. I sat up, chest rising and falling in ragged breaths. Every muscle screamed in protest as I forced myself off the table. The room was eerily silent—no footsteps, no voices, no signs of movement. Luna's lab was empty.

Thinking rationally for the first time since being brought here I thought, This is my chance. I crept toward the door, my bare feet making no sound against the cold floor. My fingers hesitated on the handle before I pushed it open, slipping into the tunnel beyond. Cool air rushed to greet me as I reached the exit. My heart pounded as I scanned the area—no guards, no signs of pursuit. Then, I ran. The night air bit into my skin, the thin clothes I was dressed in doing little to keep the chill away. The ground beneath me was sharp with sticks and jagged stones, but I didn't stop. Pain meant nothing if it meant getting away. I walked for hours, the darkness stretching endlessly around me. My body was weak, exhaustion dragging at my limbs, but I forced myself forward. When dawn finally painted the sky in soft hues of pink and orange, I was barely standing. Hunger gnawed at my stomach, my throat dry and aching. I needed water. Then, like a call I couldn't ignore, I heard it—the soft rush of a waterfall. Hope surged through me, pushing me forward. When I reached the lake, relief nearly brought me to my knees. The water was crystal clear, cascading into the pool below. I didn't hesitate. I tore off my dress and waded in, shivering as the water lapped at my skin. Then, I drank. The cool liquid filled my mouth, soothing my raw throat. But it wasn't just that—I could feel it absorbing into me, a strange, almost supernatural sensation. For the first time since waking, I felt alive. After what felt like an eternity, I stumbled back onto the bank. My body was dry almost instantly, warmth lingering beneath my skin. What is happening to me? I put on my dress and sat against a tree, my body finally giving in to exhaustion. My eyes fluttered closed, and before I knew it—sleep took me. A rustling sound jolted me awake. I shot up, heart hammering, only to find… a rabbit. It sniffed at me curiously, unfazed by my sudden movement. I let out a breath, reaching out to pat its soft fur. At least something in this world wasn't trying to kill me. But I couldn't stay here. With a sigh, I stood, brushing myself off. The forest stretched endlessly, but I kept moving. Hours turned to days. My hunger grew unbearable, my body weak, but I found water where I could—small streams, puddles left from recent rain. It was the only thing keeping me alive. On the fourth day, I stumbled upon a road. Relief crashed over me like a wave. Civilization. I followed the highway from the treeline, unsure of where it led but trusting my instincts. They pulled me south—somewhere, deep in my bones, I knew I was being drawn to something. That night, I scavenged for food in dumpsters behind small-town diners. It was degrading, but survival didn't care about pride. Eventually, I came across a gas station. Hunger gnawed at my insides, exhaustion made my head swim, but I needed answers. I approached the counter, clearing my throat. "Excuse me, ma'am… can you tell me where I am? And… what day is it?" The clerk's eyes flicked over me—tangled hair, thin gown, bare feet. Concern flashed across her face. "Are you okay, honey? Do you need me to call the police?" Her fingers hovered over the phone. Panic flared in my chest. "Please—just tell me the date." She hesitated. "It's September 28th. Wednesday."

Shock rippled through me. During my time in captivity no one bothered to mention the date. Since I was taken in late may, It meant that I had been gone for nearly three months. My parents must be worried out of their minds. I have to get back to them. . "And your name?" she pressed. Her words snapping me out of my thoughts. I hesitated, but lying felt pointless. "Audra. Audra Peterson." She gave me a sad smile. "Well, Audra, how about some hot food?" She offered. My stomach ached at the thought. My brain was telling me to run but hunger eventually won. "I—I don't have money." I say. "It's okay, sweetie." She said softly.

I hesitated once more, but hunger consumed my thoughts. I sat down, devouring the food she offered. For the first time in days, warmth settled in my stomach. But then, I heard it, "Hello? Yes, I found that missing girl from a few towns over. She's in rough shape. I'll keep her here until you arrive." Ice shot through my veins. I shot up from my seat. No. No, no, no. I grabbed what I could and ran. The clerk shouted after me, but I didn't stop. My bare feet slapped against the pavement as I sprinted for the treeline—

And then—headlights. A car screeched, trying to swerve, but I was too fast. I threw my hands up in instinct, bracing for the impact— But it never came. A wall of water surged in front of me, stopping the car in its tracks. I gasped, staring at the shimmering barrier, droplets suspended in the air. The driver stared too—terrified. I didn't wait to question it. I turned and disappeared into the forest, sirens wailing in the distance. That's the last time I ask for help.