Chapter 46 The dream
Ariel
An hour later, I got my answer in the form of an already running plane on a private airstrip with a couple of security staff and air hostesses outside the plane. “We're flying?” I belted out loud before I could stop myself.
“Yes.” Gen. Yuri smiled like that was supposed to make me feel better. “To Aspen. And don't worry, I'll make sure you're back home at your apartment safe and sound by tomorrow.”
Uh… I would hope so. Fuck. I was so nervous and anxious; I nearly crumbled to the ground once I stepped out of the car. “Are you okay, ma’am?” The security guy who had come over to open my door stretched out his arm to hold me and I nodded.
I felt sick to my stomach.
“Yes.”
“This way, Ma." He continued holding my hands till we got to the stairway leading up into the plane, and then Gen. Yuri took over from him, making it worse.
Fuck. I immediately felt lightheaded, my stomach twisting in the worst way possible. I didn't even realise I was going down until multiple arms surrounded me on the floor.
Fuck. All the dots I was seeing seemed to gather all at once before my eyes and expand into this darkness that enveloped me.
Everywhere was dark when I regained consciousness. My eyes were probably still closed, which was why, but even after I forced them open, it seemed to plunge me into a thicker darkness that immediately made me start panicking.
Where was I? A room?
I glanced around the darkness like that would help and felt my way around enough to know I was seated on the floor, my knees huddled up to my chest. Oh God. I stood up instantly and almost fell right back on my ass with how weak my limbs felt.
What was happening? My breaths were getting shorter and sharper, my throat closing up with every passing second and my arms somehow holding onto something; I'm guessing the wall.
That's when I felt it. A slight brush of something across my arms that immediately sent chills running down my spine. I whipped my head around so fast I felt dizzy. Was someone in the room with me?
I felt it again, across my shoulders.
Oh God. Someone or something was definitely here and I couldn't see them. I stumbled back and croaked out, “H-hello?”
No response. Just another touch but firmer across my neck. I gasped and jerked back into something. My hands felt them. Wood.
Wood?
I let out a loud yelp when I suddenly felt something drag me by my hair away from where I was standing. It let go after a second and I stumbled to my feet, my heart hammering in my chest.
I could barely breath.
“There you are…”
My throat closed up instantly at the low voice that echoed through the room. Everything felt like it was closing in on me and I couldn't breathe.
I tried to swallow and suck in a quick breath but it didn't come. My throat felt so closed up and dry; the air was not helping either with how non-existent it seemed at the moment and then a bright light suddenly opened up ahead, drowning out the darkness.
“Ma’am!”
“Ma’am!!”
“Ma’am!!!”
I opened my eyes to a line of very concerned faces in front of mine, a stark contrast to the terrifying darkness I'd just witnessed and felt right now. It felt like liberation to finally suck in the breath of much-needed air I'd sought so desperately in that… dream? Trance?
God. Whatever it was, I could still feel myself shaking and my heart pounding.
“Ma’am, are you okay?” I glanced up at the man that stepped forward, my brain immediately taking note of the difference in his outfit from that of the staff. He was just in a shirt and pants.
“I'm Dr Miguel. I need to know how you're feeling?”
“I-I'm good.” I croaked out. Weren't we about to board a plane? A doctor? How?
I tried to sit up as he raised a pen-like device in his hand. “No. Please relax. Do you know where you are? Or what happened?”
"Well, we were about to board a plane when I started feeling sick and dizzy. I'm guessing I passed out…obviously." He smiled slightly. “Yes. I'm just going to shine this into your eyes for a little bit. It might be a bit too bright.”
I winced anyway when the small pen suddenly became a beacon of light shining into my eyes. He turned it off after a few seconds.
“When last did you eat?” I didn't exactly have to rack my brain as he took my hand and started probing it. Too long ago. I've just not had any appetite and I've been feeling sick to my stomach a lot; I feel the need to retch every time.
“A day ago.” Maybe more.
He glanced up at me. “Nothing at all?”
“Well, maybe a glass of water and…”
He straightened up properly after also checking my pulse, then stepped back, revealing Gen. Yuri, who had been right beside me. I didn't even notice him at first.
“Just as I guessed. She's dehydrated and stressed. Also hasn't had a proper meal in more than 24 hours so I guess we should start from there.”
Gen. Yuri turned to staff after a minute. "Well, you heard the man; get her something to eat.”
“And water.” The man added.
"Okay, sir.”
I seemed to get a lot more breathing space when everyone dispersed, leaving just the doctor and Gen. Yuri and finally I was raised up into a proper seating position.
Fuck.
I felt weak all over again, definitely from being starved, as the doctor had said but also because looking out the window now, I realised we were now flying.
Not at the hospital, as I'd hoped to put off this whole thing I had to do with Gen. Yuri (stupid me, I'd seen the staff and their uniforms and still thought 'hospital'), but on the plane, in the sky and headed to the birthday party.
Yeah, I felt sick to my stomach all over again.