Pain. Drip. It''s warm. Very warm. Very dark. Where am I? How did I get here? "Hello?" I ask to see if there is anyone else here. The word is echoed back towards me. I must be in a rather large enclosed space. I listen for any other noises. I hear a rhythmic drum "Ba… ba…" and it seems to be getting louder. "Ba… ba…" my body starts to clench up in fear and I close my eyes. Whatever is making that noise is coming closer. I hold my breath to hopefully hide myself from the possible thing making that noise. The beat slows down and starts to fade away. My lungs start to burn. My throat begins to fight back. Tears start to fall. I hear a whimper. I gasp for air once I can no longer hold my breath in. The fear of the drum gone and replaced with the sweet sensation of simply breathing. I prefer to face the drums; the fear and pain of death by suffocation outweighs the fear of the drums. I wait for the drum to return now that I have given my location away. "Ba… ba…" the beat returns faster and louder than ever. I can only wait to see what it plans to do with me. Nothing. It simply slows down, and returns to its previous volume. Or did it get weaker?


    Drip. Drip. I begin to move my arms in order to get some sense of my surroundings. The hard and jagged sensation across my back lets me know I am sitting against an uneven wall. I feel my clothes; a cotton shirt with shorts. They are covered in dust, gravel and they''re soaking wet. I try to move my legs. They don’t respond the way I expect. They seem lethargic as if they themselves wish to stay where they are. I lay my head back listening to the drums still beating but fading slowly as well. I try to remember any details as to why I''m here. I remember. I know who I am now, that I''m sure of. I know what I am. But maybe I''m wrong… hopefully. I remember a song that would always cheer me up. Normally a cheerful sound, now I could only imagine the tone as melancholic… why? I blow air to whistle the tone, but only air escapes. One of my front teeth goes flying out. I briefly pat around looking for it. Giving up I lay my head back on the hard and jagged wall. The drums continue to wane.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Drip. Drip. My stomach starts to twist and turn painfully. When was the last time I ate? Was it a granola bar? I had forgotten to bring them. Someone gave it to me. A friend... yes a friend. A good friend. Sorry. Why am I sorry? I must have hit my head before when my tooth got knocked loose. I feel around stretching my body to reach further. Pain. Ok I shouldn’t reach to the left anymore. On my right I grab onto something. I pull trying to get it loose from where it''s stuck. It''s very heavy but I drag it and whatever it''s stuck to closer to me. It’s a bag. I pat around the bag to find the zipper, keeping my hands away from what it''s stuck on. I reach into the bag to find anything that would help my situation. I feel a key chain. The drums increased once again to their former intensity. On the key chain I feel a small cylindrical object. I remember having seen this before. It’s a small flash light. I twist the tip to turn it on and it blinds me with its piercing white light. My vision is covered in red and yellow patches. The colors slowly go away but many dark spots stay. Regardless now I can see. I point it to my left and I see a cavelike area covered in many rocks and stones. The wall smooth as if it has been eroded by water and time. I point the light forward. My legs… are covered in the same rock and stones. They don’t particularly hurt so they should be fine. I only need to dig them out and leave this place.