“Where are you? I’m scared,” the voice called out.
“Hang on. We’re coming. Keep that light facing upward.”
“What light? I don’t have a light.”
I stopped, panting. What the hell was going on?
“What’s wrong, Abi?” Dr. Simon asked.
“The light. It’s not her.” My pulse was racing.
“What do you mean it’s not her?” Chase asked.
“She told me she didn’t have a light.” I stood there, completely baffled. “Who the hell is shining the light?”
“We’re screwed,” Chase said. “This was a mistake. We’ll never find her.”
“We have to try,” I said. “I’m going toward the light to see what it is. You can stay here, or come with me.”
Just then the ground shook, throwing us is separate directions. A large crack formed on the ground, and I watched, helpless, as it slithered toward Dr. Simon.
“Dr. Simon, move!” I tried to get to him to pull him out of the way, but a large boulder tumbled directly between us. “Dr. Simon!” I screamed.
“Abi,” he said, nodding with hope in his eyes. “Find her.”
The ground opened up right under him and swallowed him whole. I watched his bloodied hands grasp onto the razor edge, then slip. His screams reverberated through my heart.
“Abi,” Chase called. “My foot is stuck.”
“I’m coming,” I said, trying to crawl over the boulder separating us. Everything was sharp-edged. My hands, my arms, my legs, were a bloody mess. Chase didn’t look any better. His ankle was twisted under a large rock, and as much as I tried to lift it, it wouldn’t budge. It weighed a ton.
“Help! Help me,” the girl’s voice cried out.
“I don’t know where you are,” I said, desperately searching for a way to get Chase free.
“Abi? Chase?”
I froze. “Dr. Simon?”
“Yes, I’m back outside. How are you?”
Hearing his voice caused tears to well in my eyes. “Chase is stuck. I can’t get him free.”
“I’m not sure how much time we have, so you’ll have to hurry. If you can’t find her, let me know, and I’ll pull you out.”
“Abi,” Chase grabbed hold of my arm. “There is no way my foot is getting free. It’s too heavy, and there is nothing around here to pry it off.”
“I can’t leave you,” I said.
“You won’t be.” His eyes saddened. “I’ll be leaving you. I’m so sorry.”
I shook my head. “Don’t be. It seems as if I’m the only one who can hear her anyway.”
“Be safe, Abi.”
“I will.” I smiled. “Dr. Simon. Take Chase out of here.”
“What about you?”
“I’m going to continue. Pull me out when I tell you. Not before,” I said.
Chase gasped for air, and I watched his body slump over. They were shooting him with the adrenaline.
I stayed, watching his body fade until he was gone. Now, I was alone. Alone in a mind trying to take me out, while searching for a needle in a stack of rocks.
MY SURROUNDINGS CAME UNHINGED. I had to move, quickly. At least I only had me to worry about now. I decided to head toward the light. It seemed odd that as soon as I asked for a sign, the light popped up. It could have been the crazy part of her mind throwing me off. But it was the only thing I had to go on.
“Are you still there?” I asked.
“Yes. I’m here. Are you coming?” she pleaded.
“I’m trying my best.” It was the best response I could come up with.
“I’m so scared, and cold.”
“What’s your name?” I asked, trying to take her mind off of her circumstances.
“Danielle.”
“Hi, Danielle.”
I dove to the left, avoiding more large debris falling from above, adding injuries to my hands and arms along with a constant burning, nagging pain.
“Abi, what’s going on?” Dr. Simon asked.
“Getting filleted alive. Other than that I’m fine,” I replied.
“Just say the word, and I’ll pull you out.”
“Not yet. She’s still making contact,” I said.
“Abi?” It was Danielle.
“I’m here, Danielle.”
“I thought you were going to leave me.”
“No, I’m working my way to you.” I was trying to be as calm as I could. “How old are you?”
“Seven.” I could hear her whimpering. “The monster. You won’t let the monster scare me anymore, will you?” She sounded terrified.
“What monster, Danielle?” She sounded terrified.
“Promise you’ll help me, Abi.”
As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t make a promise I couldn’t keep.
“I’m coming. I’m coming to find you.”
Sucking up the pain, I crawled toward the light. I could feel she was nearby. It felt almost as if I were being drawn to her, and didn’t want her to suffer alone, especially in a place like this. Her mind scared the crap out of me. And the monster she talked about had me worried too. I hoped it wasn’t in here with us. I was barely surviving the terrain.
As I neared the light, the ground around me shook even harder than before, opening up.
“Abi!” Danielle screamed.
I could hear her. She wasn’t near the light; she was behind me. As I turned, I could see a hole in the ground. It was dark, and the rim of it was lined with pointed rocks.
Right as I made my decision, it was as if her mind knew and threw everything at me. I wasn’t going to stick around. I took in a deep breath and jumped down the dark and scary hole, covering my face. Something tore into my side, making me cringe. Then my body slammed into the ground.
“Abi? Is that you?” It was Danielle.
“Yes, I’m here,” I said, peeling myself off the dirt.
It was pitch black. I couldn’t see anything farther than a few inches in front of my face. I wish I’d had a flashlight or a torch…anything. With that thought, a beam of light clicked on at my feet. I bent down and was shocked to feel a flashlight in my hand. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. I picked up the flashlight and swung it around. Far in a corner was a body covered in the same dress as the girl tied to the bed; only she was much younger.
As the light hit her, her hand raised, shielding her eyes.
“Are you hurt?” I asked.
“No.” She slowly stood to her feet. Her hair was a dark blonde, her eyes were dark brown, and she was gaunt. In her arms was the baby blanket. A shiver ran up my spine.
What the hell was I doing? What was I supposed to do with her now that I had her?
“Dr. Simon, can you hear me?” I waited. “Dr. Simon?” Why wasn’t he answering?
I guess I was supposed to make her feel comfortable and not afraid, so she wouldn’t call for help, leading the Arvies toward us. If I could make a flashlight appear, maybe I could help her shape this place up.
“Danielle, do you want to help me with something?” I asked.
“Sure.” A timid smile rose on her dirty face. She looked so innocent, far from the psychotic girl I’d witnessed last night. But this was the same girl. What had happened to her? Her mind was protecting this seven-year-old part of her. I didn’t want to think of what could have happened, but it was too hard not to.
“What’s in the blanket?” I asked.
“Snuggles,” she replied with a silly giggle.
“Can I see Snuggles?”
She hugged it to her chest. “Mm-hmm.”
I held my breath as she shyly unwrapped the blanket, then she pulled out a teddy bear.
Oh, thank God.
“What did you want me to do?” she asked.
“I want you to think of something that makes you happy,” I said.
She gave me a wide-eyed look and then frowned.
“What’s the matter?” I asked.
“I can’t think of anything.”
> I was shocked and heartbroken. “What about light? Doesn’t light make you happy?”
“I guess,” she breathed.
I walked over to take her hand. She flinched away from me at first, but then reached out and held on tight.
“Danielle, I want you to close your eyes and think about the sun. Think of how warm it is, and how its light would brighten up this place.”
“That would be nice,” she said.
“Then close your eyes and see it.” She did as I said, and it was as if the sun had risen in her dark underground world. Warmth immediately filled the entire area.
She gasped opening her eyes. “How did it happen?”
“It was all you,” I said, brushing back the hair hanging in front of her eyes.
She reminded me so much of Lily at this age.
“Can I make more things?”
“You can create anything you want to,” I smiled, watching her eyes gleam.
“Can you help me?”
“Sure,” I said, then offered her some advice. I wanted her new place to be bright and cheery; somewhere she wouldn’t be afraid. “What about some soft grass with fruit trees and colorful flowers?”
“I don’t know what those look like,” she said.
I was confused at first but remembered she was two when the apocalypse happened. “Didn’t you have any books with pictures?”
“A few,” she whispered, her eyes fell to her hands twisting around themselves. “My mom used to read to me when I was younger, but I don’t remember the pictures. She died, and my father took the books away and only read the Bible.”
“Did you have a brother or sister?”
“No.” I noticed she was getting fidgety and uncomfortable, so I changed the subject.
“What do you think about you and me creating a garden together? I got to see a real garden, with lots of fruit trees, and the most beautiful flowers in so many colors. While I was there, I was happy, and I think you will be too.”
“I would like that a lot,” she said.
“Close your eyes and hold my hand.” I held my breath, praying I would be able to manifest some of my world into hers. I attempted to project trees, grass, and flowers into her mind. After a few moments, I opened my eyes and watched the creation of a beautiful new world.
“Danielle, open your eyes,” I whispered.
Watching her reaction to seeing her new garden was heartbreaking and amazing, all at once. It was as if she were in shock. Her mouth dropped open, her eyes soaking up the view.
“Is it real?” she asked, looking at me.
“It’s as real as you want it to be.”
She bent down and ran her hand across the grass. “It’s so soft.”
“Look on the tree,” I said, pointing upward. Large, bright red apples hung low, ready for her little hands to pluck. “Go ahead. Eat one.”
“Eat what? What is it?” She pulled the fruit from the tree and twisted it in her fingers.
“It’s called an apple. Take a bite.”
She placed the fruit up to her lips and bit. Juice squirted on her face, making her flinch. Then she laughed.
I wasn’t sure what to make of her expression.
“Do you like it?”
Her eyes closed. “I love it. It’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted,” she said, smacking her lips together, then taking another bite.
I wasn’t sure what taste her mind had created because she’d never had a real apple before, but I was glad she was enjoying it. I looked around and knew she’d be better off.
She clutched her teddy bear tight.
“Look, Snuggles, we have a new home. We don’t have to be afraid anymore.”
“That’s right. You don’t have to be afraid. And anytime you want to talk to me, just close your eyes and call me.”
“Are you leaving me?” Her eyes went wide, and her tiny body trembling.
I knelt in front of her, taking both of her hands into mine. “I have to go, but I’ll be close. If you ever need me, call my name.”
She leaned over and wrapped her arms around my neck, squeezing like she didn’t want to let me go.
I hugged her back. My heart and stomach were aching over leaving her alone.
“Hey, you’re alright now. Look at this place,” I said. “What I want you to do is think about what else you can add to this place to make it even more fun and relaxing. You can show it to me when I come back to visit.”
“Okay,” she sniffed, unwrapping her arms and wiping a tear from her cheek.
I wished there was a way I could take her from this place, to rescue her from herself, but that was never going to happen.
“Take care of Snuggles. You have everything you need now.”
“Thank you, Abi,” she said. “No one has ever been this nice to me.”
I fought my emotions, trying not to let her see how sad I was inside. I didn’t want to get into any details and open up a can of worms. Her brain was protecting her from all the un-nice things; there was no reason to go and unravel all of its hard work.
“We’re friends now. If you need me, just call my name.”
“I will.” Her lips rose into a full, tooth-filled smile. “Hear that, Snuggles. Abi’s our friend.” She hugged her bear tightly.
I placed my hand on her head and stroked her long, blonde hair.
“Dr. Simon, I’m ready.”
In a few moments, I could feel my pulse racing. Then everything became a blur as if I were being rewound and thrust backward. When I blinked, I was back sitting in the chair with Dr. Simon, Chase, and Keanu standing around me.
“ABI, WHAT HAPPENED? ARE YOU okay?” Dr. Simon asked.
“Yes,” I said, straightening myself. “I found her. Her name is Danielle.”
“And?” Chase asked.
“She should be fine.” I hoped. “It was her seven-year-old self that was hidden away in a dark place, calling for help.”
“Seven? She must have experienced something horrible after that.” Dr. Simon’s brow became deep set with worry.
“She was probably abused,” Keanu said, shaking his head. “I’d like to skin any bastard who would hurt an innocent child.”
There wasn’t one of us who didn’t agree.
I rubbed my face and shook my head. “When I asked her to think about something happy, she couldn’t think of one thing.”
“That’s so sad,” Chase said, turning around and looking at the girl on the bed. “At least I had Chloe.”
“Yes, and you still do,” I smiled, and he returned the gesture. “I helped Danielle create some beauty in her dark, tormented world. I’m hoping it will keep her from being scared.”
“You did the right thing,” Dr. Simon said, patting my shoulder.
“I hope whatever good I did is enough,” I sighed. “I wish I could have brought her back.”
“Maybe, there will be a way to bring her back in the future.”
“I hope so,” I said. “For her sake.”
“How can you save her from herself?” Chase asked.
“With lots of time, patience, and love,” Dr. Simon answered.
Chase gave a knowing nod; he was still in the process of healing from his own abusive past.
Keanu handed me a flask of water.
“Thanks,” I said, gulping it down. The water relieved my parched throat.
“No problem,” he replied. I handed the flask back to him. “I’m surprised at your resilience. You’ve shown a lot of strength and endurance.”
“I’m as strong as I need to be,” I shrugged.
Keanu grinned. “I think you three should rest up for our journey this evening. We need you to be on full alert.”
I stood from the chair and felt dizzy. Chase and Keanu each caught one of my arms.
“I’m good,” I said, trying to stand on my own.
“Come here,” Keanu said, hoisting me up into his arms. He carried me to the couch and set me down. “You should rest.” He smiled and held out th
e bottle of Vicks. I grinned and dipped my finger in, swiping a bit under my nose.
“Thank you,” I said, laying back on the dusty couch. I knew I needed to rest. I was still recovering from the last Arvy incident and drained myself further from surviving the trek through Danielle’s mind.
Dr. Simon and Chase rolled up their blankets and used them as pillows, laying on the ground next to the couch.
I looked up at the cobwebbed and bowing roof, and trying to imagine it before the apocalypse. My eyes were heavy and hard to hold open, so I gave in.
WHEN I OPENED MY EYES, the light outside was already fading. I sat up, feeling stronger, rested. Chase and Dr. Simon were still asleep, but they needed it as much as me.
I heard something and sat up straight, listening. A deep growl made the hair on my body stand on end. Arvies.
“Abi, are you there?” It was Danielle.
“I’m here.”
“Do you hear them? More monsters are coming.”
“Don’t be afraid, Danielle. You’re safe. No monsters can get you.”
“How do you know?”
“I won’t let them. You’ll hear them but won’t see them. Now I need you to be strong and very quiet, do you hear me?”
“Yes,” she said.
“No matter what you hear, don’t make a sound. Do you understand, Danielle?”
“I understand,” she replied.
“How about you take Snuggles and pick me a bunch of flowers? I’ll contact you after the monsters are gone.”
The growls were getting louder.
“Sergeant Hawkins,” I yelled, waking Chase and Dr. Simon in the process. His head peeked in the doorway. “They’re coming,” I said, breathless. “The Arvies are coming.”
Sergeant Hawkins hollered, and in seconds, his team was assembled on the porch. “We’re moving out. Arvies are approaching, and we aren’t sure how many or how long it’ll take before they arrive.”
They turned toward me, and I nodded my confirmation.
“What about the girl?” Stevens asked. “The crazy one?”
“She’s coming, and you’re in charge of her,” Sergeant Hawkins ordered.
“Sarge, there is no way I’m going to drag her with that dead baby across the desert.”