Chapter 3: 3. It's Hard to Forget
**TRIGGER WARNING - Trauma, panic attacks**
I look out the window (well, more like a hole in the wall) with glee. There were birds singing and dancing about and farmers ploughing their farms. Today was going to be a good day.
I put my jacket on and dash outside, passing by my mother.
"Good morning, Rei!"
I quickly stop and greet my mother.
"Good morning! I'm going to go out for a while!"
"Oh, where are you going?" She asks, while wringing out our clothes.
"Anywhere!" I chirp as I skip away.
I'm eleven now, and it is the most fun I've had in a while. I'm allowed to go out on my own, so I've been learning lots about this world.
Turns out magic exists here, which isn't too surprising considering the game menu. I've seen a couple people here and there use it, but I've never seen my parents cast it. Not that it matters.
"Good morning Rei!" An elderly woman greets.
"Morning!" I gleam.
Honestly, I take back my previous statement. This is the most fun I've had in BOTH of my lives. Turns out freedom is sweeter than honey, and I am devouring it.
There are many homes in this village, from the mud houses (like mine) to small brick cottages. There's also fresh wheat and barley fields which fill up the empty space. It's far more fascinating than anything I could find in my previous life.
I approach an intersection in the road and come to a halt.
'I guess I'll go right this time.'
I start to dawdle again, completely taking my time. The wind was gently ruffling my hair and kissing my face. It felt nice.
"Would you like a lift, boy?"
Startled, I jump backwards. Behind me was a middle-aged man driving a horse carriage. He chuckles, exposing his yellow teeth.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you there. I can drop you off if we're going in the same direction." He offers; kindness embedded within his voice.
'He's willing to drive me? In a... Carriage?'
I look at the carriage he's driving, and my line of sight directs down to it's wheels.
'Wheels?'
All of a sudden, I could hear my heartbeat drum loudly in my ears.
"A-ah." I stutter.
Pain.
Pain fills my head, and I start to feel dizzy.
"Woah, are you okay there? Be careful or..."
The noises around me start to become muffled and I could barely stand.
I can't breathe.
Everything hurts.
I can't move.
I can barely see, it's mostly red.
There are sirens - are they going to rescue me?
Then everything went black.
-
I hesitantly open my eyes and I sit up.
'Did I fall asleep?'
The smell of the fresh dirt lingers around me and I realise I'm in my house.
"Oh my god, Rei! Are you okay?!"
'Hmm? It's my mother.' She was sitting on the side of my bed, watching me intently. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her hands were trembling.
"Aaron! Come quick! He's awake!"
In an instant, my father appeared at the door. His eyes were red and puffy too. Were they crying?
I go back to look at my mother, who was reaching her hand out to me.
"How are you feeling?" She asks while stroking my hair.
"What do you mean?" I ask back, confused.
"What do you mean, you say? All of a sudden you passed out! Have you been eating right?" My father says.
'I passed out?'
Slowly but surely, the memories of what happened started coming back to me.
"Oh..."
My breath was hastening, and my parents could tell right away. It felt like a malicious dark wave was overhead me, sneering at my fate.
"I-I'l get some water!" My dad stammered.
My mother holds my hand tightly and pulls me into a embrace.
"I-It's okay, Rei! Don't think of it, just think if me, o-okay?"
'That's right... I'm here, not in that world.' My head is resting next to her soft hair, providing a warm cushion to rest one. Unknowingly, my breathing starts to match my mother's.
"There, there..."
My mother gently pats me on my back and I felt safe. Comforted, as well. To tell you the truth, I almost cried.
My dad comes back with a glass of water and puts it down next to us.
"Aaron, when will the doctor arrive?"
"Probably in the next 10 minutes," He replies, leaning his head onto my mother's shoulder.
The warmth of my mother's embrace steadily reassured me, slowly lulling me to a peaceful slumber.
A sleep that I didn't want to wake up from.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
neothix
neothix Thanks for reading :)))
Sorry, I couldn't seem to get the tension and suspense right in this chapter. I promise I'll work on it for the future!
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