Page 71 of Backdraft
He didn't wake up. And it wasn’t long until I was unable to keep my eyes open, I was just so tired. I fought against giving way and sliding back down into oblivion, but I couldn't help it.
Voices permeated the layers of unconsciousness as if it were a dream. A nightmare in fact. Everything was dark except for sparks flying all around me. I cringed at the roaring in my ears, wanting to make myself small and hide. I heard sobbing. Was it me or someone else?
Something was tugging my hand. I wasn't able to move away. I was trapped in a body that refused to cooperate. The agonizing pain in my arm, shoulder, and neck blanketed me and a deep fog flowed over me, dragging me back down.
Voices again. Raised voices. People shouting and yelling pulled me back up from the depths. It was important I woke up. Something bad was happening.
I still couldn’t open my eyes, and my body continued to betray me. Even my brain rejected any organized thoughts. What the hell was happening?
Then I heard a woman's voice as clear as day. "Who are you?"
I tried to say my name. I thought I said my name, but she repeated the question.
Then she let out a scream, and the world shook. Everything vibrated, and it brought me up to another layer of consciousness. I tried to listen to all the commotion but nothing made sense.
A voice shouted "Stop! Stop him."
What’s with all the yelling? She’d asked me my name, but now she was yelling to stop someone.
Oh no, not Taylor. Why would she ask him who he was and then shout to stop him?
I fought through another layer of consciousness, but it was impossible to go any higher. I was sucked back down into the void.
It was nice here. Nice and quiet in the dark. I didn't hear voices anymore, and the strange beeping and whooshing didn't come with me in the void. I still felt funny, and the deeper I went, the less I heard.
It was nice.
It was painless.
It was peace
My body twitched. Colors were changing, and I watched as they shifted into a deep gray and then a lighter gray,
Drea, you wake up. Do you hear me? Live, live! Come back to me.
Who was calling me? I let myself sink back down into the comforting place. There was no pain. No worry. Just safety.
Wake up!
This time, it was like the word screamed inside my head. I didn’t want to leave this safe place and but there was a tone in the voice calling to me and I forced myself up through the layers again. The safe darkness was getting lighter and lighter.
I know that voice.
I wanted that voice.
I couldn't think who it was. But it was so familiar. As comforting as the darkness was, the voice continued to draw me higher. The voice became sanctuary.
The voice was the new safe place.
I wanted to be with that voice.
I tried to say something, to tell the voice I was coming.
Drea, fight. Open your eyes.
The voice grew more powerful, louder and closer. I still couldn't open my eyes, but I didn't want to disappoint the voice. I fought as hard as I could to get to the voice.
Drea, I need you to come back. Fight. Fight.
