UnSeen (Part III)- Short Story
As I lay there frozen, a sudden feeling of dread washed over me, and I could feel my body temperature rising. My heart started racing, and I broke out in a cold sweat that trickled down my spine. Every inch of my body was trembling, and I could barely catch my breath. In the moment of pure terror, I watched another post climb up slowly to vision.
HOW ON EARTH COULD.....
Quickly, I backed out of the app and pressed Twitter again.
My body trembled as if it had a life of its own. The quivering was so intense that it must have been visible to the naked eye. I could feel my hands shaking. My legs felt like they were about to give away any moment. My heart was pounding so hard that I could feel it in my chest, and my breaths were coming out in short, shallow gasps. It was as if my whole body had been taken over by a force beyond my control, and I was powerless to stop it.
INHALE EXHALE INHALE EXHALE INHALE EXHALE
Clutching the desk attached to the side left panel in a frenzy, I rooted my jelly legs on the floor. Feebly, I lent my weight on my shins and lifted my buttocks from the chair. The whole room in view was as wobbly and unsteady as it could be.
Straining, I lifted my feet and set it further on the ground. It could have been forward. It was extremely hard to tell.
"h el p"
As I struggled to lift my heavy head, I felt a sharp pain shoot through my neck. I swallowed the discomfort and forced myself to face the mirror. The reflection that stared back at me was barely visible, shrouded in the dimly lit background. I strained my eyes to make out any details, but all I could see was a darkened silhouette. The lack of light made it difficult to discern any features, leaving my reflection a vague and unrecognizable shape.
BANG! The bedroom door went shut.
An oval silhouette of grey materialised from the back of the door. Gradually, a form began to take shape out of the shadows. As the darkness dissipated, an oval face emerged, slowly turning upside down to reveal a mouth twisted into a gritty grin, but no eyes were visible. The silhouette then started to move forward, slowly and steadily, until it was hovering just a few inches away.
"Hi Ryena!"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
"Woof! Sniffles barked, wagging his tail.
"What's wrong?" Dad emerged at the end of the hallway, appearing as a midget reflection beside mine.
As I stood in front of my mirror, lost in thought, he walked in and immediately noticed the changes in my expression. His keen observation skills picked up on the subtle shifts in my facial features, Without a word, he paced inside the room and set a firm hand on my shoulder.
"What is wrong? What happened? Why are you crying? Why did you scream?"
"Daddy. Something really wrong is going on. My phone.....my..
"What about your phone, darling?"
"My phone,..." I draw a sharp breath, " social media is sending me messages."
"Messages? What kind of messages?" The brow lines on his forehead creased with strain.
"They've been copying what I've been doing. Sending me messages....messages like I can't be saved. I am beyond redemption. They have been sending silhouettes of grey material, messing with my mind."
"Oh my goodness. I see what has happened to you. You've lost your mind. A doctor. What you need to see is a doctor."
"NO DAD! NO! I SWEAR. IT IS REAL. IT IS ALL REAL. I CAN SHOW IT TO YOU. I CAN PROVE IT TO YOU." As my voice turned hoarse, I watched Daddy vehemently pick my phone from the table and grasp a firm grip on my wrist.
"C'mon, let's go!"
"NO DAD, NOOOO" As I felt the sudden pull, my legs slipped and slid with the force. "Mummy! MUMMY! SAVE ME"
"She is not here. She has gone out. I'll explain this to her later. C'mon!" He increased his pull on my arm.
"No Daddy no! I swear it is real!" He pushed me inside the car and shut the door.
"Explain that to the doctor!!! You've gone nuts!" He turned around and turned the keys in the ignition.
🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
A mid-sized woman in a white coat walked down the hallway; the sound of her heels clacking against the floor echoing through the corridor. The air of purpose hung around her. Carefully, she made her way towards a door on the far right-hand side of her. Upon entering, she met a room full of patients, all waiting anxiously for their turn to be seen. Despite the crowded space, the woman navigated her way through the sea of people with ease, until she came to a stop beside a middle-aged man. With a confident and calm demeanour, she spoke up loudly but softly.
"Would you like to step inside my cabin for a moment, please?"
"Yes."
With a relaxed and unhurried pace, they meandered along the path, enjoying the sights and sounds of nature that surrounded them. As they ambled along, their gaze scanned the verdant landscape, and it was then that a small, rustic cabin caught their eye on the right-hand side. The cabin was surrounded by a dense thicket of trees and shrubs, and it appeared to be a serene and tranquil retreat amidst the verdant foliage. Its wooden walls were adorned with ivy and the air around it was filled with the sweet scent of wildflowers. Quitely, they adjusted near their seats; the former sitting across the table in front of the magnificent art piece and the latter taking his place on the client's side.
"So...about your daughter." The psychiatrist vocalised, crossing her fingers and placing them on the table.
"So, it turns out your daughter is quite paranoid and fearful for her life. For her safety, we've decided to keep her in for a few days if you don't mind."
"I don't. May I ask what has happened to her?"
"After a long discussion with her, what I've noticed for now is that her mental health has severely declined and it has been so for a while. The posts she has been seeing are a manifestation of that. I suspect it could be schizophrenia."
"Oh no!"
"Do not worry. You've done the right thing by bringing her here. You've placed her in good hands. We'll look after her and I'll keep updating you on her progress or lack thereof on her part."
"Alright. Is there anything I can do now?"
"No. Well yes, you can leave her personal belongings like her phone, her toothbrushes etc here for her. We'll take them to her later."
"All right. I'll do ask you asked. Thank you."
🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
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I pressed the power button. Instantly, the screen went black.
I gulped the 2 pills sitting neatly on my right palm with water and set the glass on the bedside lamp. I lay down and closed my eyes.
--END--
Image Credits
Cover image- Vladislav Nahorny
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