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It's dark.

Chillingly dark.

Where am I? What is this place?

I'm cold.

There's the sound of an ocean. An ocean. What is this place?

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Huh?

What happened?

"Yo' Mark. There's this party going on tonight. Ya coming?"

It's Daniel. Is he here? I try to twist my head. Am I even making any effort? It feels like I'm stuck in one place. It's so dark. What's going on?

"Uh... Can't make it. Kinda busy."

That's me. That's me talking! I open my mouth to ask but not a sound. Nothing is coming out. It's all so dark and my head is so heavy. I can't even see my body.

"You're always a busy man. It's just one night. Tomorrow is Saturday. And I know you've got no work tonight. You can sleep in and be ready for your night shift tomorrow."

"Dan..."

"Oh come on. You owe me. Let's freaking party!"

"Fine. Whatever. Just this once."

Did I go to a party? What is he talking about? Is that me? Can someone tell me what is happening?

No answer. No response. There's nothing. Just absolute silence.

I try to move. It's so hard. My whole body is limp. I can't even get a hold of my brain. What the hell is happening?

Then I hear it again.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

What's that sound? It's everywhere. It's so loud. I'm confused...

It's been hours. I have to get out of here. What is this place? Why can't I see anything? Why can't I move? What the hell is this place?! I need to get out of here.

I try again to move but nothing happens. It's just futile. Like my whole body is compressed. My thoughts aren't even heading in one direction.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Huh? What is that? Sounds like music.

"Eh yoooo... Who do I see? Mark? Marky Mark? You're there? At a party?"

"Shut up dude."

That's me again. Who's the other guy?

"Don't be so uptight. I just never see you. How'd ya get him to come?"

Why's he yelling? And who is he?

"He owes me a favor. Had to pay up." Dan chuckles.

"Oh I see. Well, my man, let's get this party started, shall we? What's your poison? I got Jack and some other stuff."

"Soda's fine."

"You're still not the talker are ya? Still haven't changed."

Oh heavens. He's loud. What's happening? Why can't I see anything?

Then it's quiet, save the sound of crashing waves. Then I feel. I feel! I'm surrounded by water. I can feel its cool sensation on my skin, all the way to my jaw but my face.

"Hey handsome,"

Who's that? She sounds familiar.

"Hey. What are you doing here?"

There's a light smacking sound.

"Dan was so sure he'd get you to come out and I haven't seen you all week. Feels like you've been avoiding me."

Why does she sound sad? And what's the dull ache in my chest?

"I'm sorry babe. I've just been busy with my job and classes."

"Too busy to even send a quick text? Or answer my calls?"

Now she sounds mad. Who is she? And what did I do?

"Babe..."

"You know what? Save it. I've had enough."

Enough? Of what? I should try moving again. I still feel the water. It's getting colder. Am I about to freeze to death? Time passes and then I hear rumblings. There are voices. It echoes for a while before it becomes clear.

"It's not like that..."

"How is it then? You finally get in my pants and then you're suddenly busy?"

"What the heck? For Christ's sake Diana it's not that!"

Why are we both yelling? And where's the music?

"Then what?! For heaven's sake, I gave you my first time. And you go ghost mode right after that. What am I supposed to think?"

What now? Can someone tell me what's going on?

"Diana if you'll just let me explain–"

"No. You can keep your silly excuses. I'm done. It was awful knowing you."

There are receding footsteps. Then there's...

CRASH.

Pain rips through my entire being but it's more prominent in my head. I remember...

A gasp. I just gasped!

"DIANA!"

There's running. There's shouting. There's chaos. I remember...

Oh no! I remember!

I hear myself.

"Please God no! Diana please! Please! Someone call a freaking ambulance! Diana, stay with me, baby..."

There's a whimper. I feel it. Hot tears, it's on my face. I killed her... I killed her!

"Man let go. They've got to take her." It's Dan.

"No. No. No. She can't be dead." It's me again. I'm in pain. I feel it. It's pure agony.

"She died on impact. The paramedic said so. I'm so sorry..."

"NO!" And I run.

I remember... I ran. Where was I running to? Why was I running?

Ahh. Yes. I'm a freaking murderer. A freaking murderer.

I feel more tears. The water is colder. Then it hits me...

Am I dead? Is that why I can't feel anything? Is this the afterlife? It's so dark...

Beep. Beep. Beep.

There's that sound again. Perhaps I'm dead. But it's for the best. I can't face the world. I can't do it. I hate myself. Why'd I let her go? Why did I agree to that freaking party? Why didn't I call? Why didn't I text? Why? Just why?

I'm tired. I want to sleep.

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

It's louder. I want to sleep. My eyelids are heavy. I just want to sleep. Can I sleep? Just for a while?

"NO! Mark my baby! Please don't leave me."

What?

"Ma'am you have to leave the room."

There are voices again. Who's that? Why's she crying? And why is it affecting me so much?

The waves are louder, my lids are heavier. The water is freezing... Just for a while... I'll just go to sleep. Only a short while... I'm so tired.

There's a sudden flash. I see a woman.

"Say mama" she cheers.

Ba-dump!

"Oh look at my son. All grown up."

Ba-dump!

Is that my heart?

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

"1...2...3... Clear."

Who is that?

"I always knew you'd make me proud. You've always been my pride."

Who... Mom!

It's my mother. Blonde hair, bright blue eyes...

My eyes fly open! I have to leave this place.

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep!

"Time of death seventeen oh five".

What?

No! I can't die. Not yet. I have to do something. I open my mouth again and...nothing! For freak's sake, someone get me out of here!

Then I feel it. There's something in my palm. It's thin and feels like a clip. I thug.

There's a gasp. Then a yell.

"Doctor! Doctor!"

The voice fades but not the object in my palm so I thug again.

"That's impossible–"

Beep. Beep. Beep.

It's that sound again. I'm in a hospital. Yes... I remember. I was hit by something. I had tried to run but it was unfortunate I ran straight into headlights.

"My son. He's Alive."

It's my mom.

"It's a miracle..." Says someone, don't know who.

I feel a light pressure on my palm. The water is no longer cold. It's warm. It's... It's... Tingling.

I see it. There's a sheen of light. I lift my hand. I can lift my hand! I reach for the light. It gets closer and closer and closer...

"Mom." I croak.