Coma

“I’M RIGHT HERE!” I banged on the glass boxed around me. I was right in front of them, why couldn't they see me? “They don't want to see you.” Who said that? “Why would they? You're in the box.” I spun around the little space I had. “Who said that? Please, can you let me out of here?” I heard laughter around me, so I spun around again. “Why would I let you out, you did this to yourself.” I slid down to my knees. “Please. Why can’t they see me, I just want to get out of here.” The soft breathing that was keeping me stable disappeared. “Help me please. Come back, I need someone!” I was met with dead silence. I tried banging on the glass again. There were so many people there, but nobody could see me, nobody could hear my pleading. Why did I feel so alone, they were all there. I put my head down, trying to find something to ground myself with. Breathing unsteady, all I could hear was the faint laughter and chatter on the other side of the thick glass. I continued to pound on the glass until I saw traces of my blood on the glass. How did I get here? I don’t even remember waking up here. I looked down at myself, I don’t remember these clothes. I would have never picked these out. They were dark, reveling, and there were no pockets. No place for my phone. Where was my phone? I looked down at the scars on my arms. Still only months old, I couldn't have been here for too long, I'm not hungry. I wrap my fingers into tight fists. Pain. Something I could rely on. I was alive. I tried to scream, but my voice was hoarse. “Water.. Can I have water?” I let go of my fists and wiped away a tear that escaped. My scars, fresh once more, but not bleeding yet. I had to stop. I took a couple deep breaths, I was fine. Isolated. I wanted that right? I moved my hands, tried to stand up once more. I can feel my legs, I know the ground is there, I’m not falling, I’m fine. I got up and smiled. I can figure this out. I turned around and looked for a door, an escape, how did I get in? There’s always a way right? I raised my hands to put them against the cold glass. It was taking me everything to not pull back and hug myself. It was just getting colder and colder. My teeth chattered a bit, but I continued to move my hands around, feeling for an invisible escape. Once I had turned around fully once more, I felt a shock through my body, causing me to fall to my knees once more. I looked down at my arms once more. They weren't months old scars anymore. I was bleeding out. I was sitting in a filling pool of blood trapped. “HELP!” I screamed weakly once more. I could hardly hear myself anymore. How was I bleeding? I didn’t touch them. I promised… Someone I wouldn't. Who did I promise? Why couldn’t I remember who they were? I shut my eyes in an attempt to focus. My clothes were getting soaked in my blood. “Am I alright? I’m I really here? ” I felt the shock go through my body once more and everything froze. All I could hear was the sound of my unstable breath. The glass was starting to fog, I couldn’t see anyone anymore. I could see cold puffs of air leaving my lips. I was starting to freeze. My scars were looking older and older. What was going on? How was I healing so fast? Something was very wrong. I put my head down to my knees, only to feel my forehead burning up. A headache. Am I sick? What's wrong with me? “Count. Upwards, backwards, all around remember?” I lifted my head in hopes to see someone, but again, the voice remained faceless. “Who are you?” I whispered. I hugged my knees closer, knowing I wouldn’t get a response. The heat from my forehead began to spread down to my chest, my arms, I couldn't see cold puffs of air anymore. My legs, feet, toes, I was warming up. But as it grew hotter, so did my headache. I tried to scream, but nothing. My voice was gone. How did I become so helpless? The growing pit in my stomach turned into a feeling of nausea. I didn;t want to try to get up this time. The glass was clear once again, but the outside space had emptied significantly. Where did they go? I tilted my head back, tried to count. One...Two...Three...Four.. What was this supposed to do? I ran a hand through my hair, it felt short. When did I cut it short? I massaged my scalp and thought back. I have to remember something. Deep breath. The week after school ended. It was so hot I decided to cut it off. I think. Everything feels so foggy. I was starting to get dizzy. I felt beads of sweat start to form on my forehead. I wiped them away and took another deep breath. What else do I remember? What was the last thing I did? I kept my head tilted back in hopes I would start to cool down. I tried making a sound, it was no use. I was trapped. I placed a hand over my chest and let myself feel the weight. That used to calm me down. I know that. I used to be okay. I lifted my head and looked out, even less people. Maybe it was night now. Could I try and sleep? I brang my head down to my knees and leaned against the side. If I stay like this, another body could probably fit standing in the leftover space. My head felt heavy enough to just fall asleep, I felt like I was going to pass out, but not from being tired, from the heat. I was starting to feel sticky and the nausea was growing. If I didn’t stop heating up, I would throw up any minute now. Five… six… seven… eight… I can pull through right? I've survived this long. I moved my head from against the glass quickly. The small space was still heating up, quicker than before. The glass was hot to touch, I slid forward, removing my back. I tried to straighten my back, it was starting to arch painfully. I looked down towards my legs again, it was the easiest way to keep myself stable. Nine… ten… eleven… ow! My feet were starting to burn. “Why?” I managed to croak. When I was eleven I had my first real sleepover. I was getting with everyone, it was a nice break from my reality. When I was eleven, I started boxing. I wanted to learn how to protect myself. From what? My mind was starting to slip away, thoughts becoming less coherent. I looked up and took another deep breath, the air noticeably less humid. Glancing outside the glass box once again I felt myself start to calm down. I watched others hurry past, all lost in their own worlds. Were they all trapped like me?