Dreams of Eternity

A sudden burst of light hit my eyes like a bulldozer and they peeked open. An elderly woman in a white uniform was standing over me, a look of concern on her face.

"Mr. Nyberry, are you all right?"

My heart was pounding so hard I was sure it was going to burst from my chest. My chest was heaving; my lungs were on fire. My throat felt like I had not had a drink in a week.

"Where am I?" I slurred. My tongue was thick and heavy.

"Deaconess Medical Center."

"What happened?"

"You were in a serious accident. You've been in a coma for almost a year."

"An accident? I don't remember being in one. The only thing I remember is some voice saying he was pissed that we exist and that he was going to hurt me."

"Yes, that was quite rude of you." Her voice was level. The room seemed darker all of a sudden. Shadows swarmed about her.

"What?"

"That was quite rude of you to leave when you did." The nurse's gaze bore into me. It seemed to be getting colder in here, too.

"Uhhm. I'm not sure what you're talking about." My head was spinning. I'm still dreaming, I thought.

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to send you back." With one hand she grabbed my arm; the other produced a needle from somewhere.

"Back where?" Something was definitely not right. I tried to sit up but found myself strapped to the bed. Why was I strapped to the bed?

She wordlessly placed the needle into my arm and injected the liquid therein. Fire raced through my veins. I tried to scream but nothing came forth. The room split into three copies of itself and what light remained began fading. The last thing I saw was the silhouette of the nurse standing over me.

My brain cackled