Pair Purgatory: Episode 1

I'm alive.

Where am I?

A sharp breeze pierces my skin. The cold air reveals itself to me as my nerves begin to function. Every exhale I give in to stings my lips. My teeth should be chattering, if only I could open my jaw.

My sense of sight doesn't assist me. Nowhere can I look to see anything but the color of pitch black, and I can only fear that I'm blind.

Despite the cold eventually numbing me to any outside feeling but its own offense, I can feel that I'm standing upright—that I've yet to fall over. A glimmer of hope sparks within me, and I begin to pull myself forward—wherever that is—hoping that I'll end up somewhere better than this.

Heave... After heave... After heave.

Nothing is changing. I've trailed through what feels like a dense mud for longer than I can recall, and the intense freeze begins to take hold.

I tip forward and fall to my knees. The pain of the impact against the ground, suddenly solid, sends shockwaves through my body.

With the last energy in my body, once devoted to panic, I begin to cry.

My silent sobs echo through the limbo, and despite the aching pain in the back of my eyes, my body won't allow itself to produce tears...

...Except one.

It trickles down my cheek and lands on my thigh. Despite knowing there's nothing to see, I open my eyes, looking down at my legs. I can only find my own pale, nearly lifeless body, but the relief of knowing my being is physically here with me is almost palpable itself.

Looking down at my thin skin, I can suddenly feel my heart beating.

I'm alive.

Before I can soak in the idea, my heart beats harder. It beats with a force.

It beats forward.

The hope I once had begins to shine again. I use the last bit of will I have to stand upright. My heart follows suit and pulls me forward with each beat.

I heave myself through the black cold, following where it guides me.

It's... Getting warm.

Hope envelopes me, and I lean forward, nearly disregarding my heart anymore. Dreams of the outside flood my mind as I move with greater speeds toward the warmth.

It's almost comfortably warm now. I can't help but let my mind wander. Why is it getting so hot?

Before I can act on my questions, a sudden presence halts me where I am.

It's... An arm. A pair of arms, protruding from the dark, offering to hold me.

I hesitantly give in. Stumbling forward, I fall toward the bright, warm hands.

They're silken and homely. I feel saved from the piercing breeze.

Not yet saved from the dark...

...And before I can open my mouth to thank, I look up to see her face.

Her wide, sharp grin stretches from one ear to the other, and her brown, boundless pupils stare through my meatless chest and into my heart.

The relief in my body swiftly melts into a paralyzing fear.

No.

Help me.

Help me!