Short Story: I Saw Your Face Again

Part 2 of "Knuckles For Suckers"

I was in an endless labyrinth, every turn making me spin.
It’s pearly white walls made me feel like I was in an insane asylum as I tried to find my way out.
There was soft fog lining the floor, hiding the dirt from me shoes that could have told me I had already come this way.

I didn’t know where I was going, all I wanted was to go home.
But this maze just wouldn’t let up.
I tried every technique to get out, I tried scratching walls until my nails bled, just to mark a path I had taken.
But either I never took the same turn, or the marks disappeared.

My legs started to ache as the scentless air stayed still.
It felt surreal as I chased after something I didn’t know.

I just wanted out.

The halls were narrow, the roof was sealed. I couldn’t tell what time of day it was, nor could I keep just a little bit free.

It felt like hours, each second gruellingly agonising as I started to feel my body give up.

But as I took another turn, the walls opened up.
I reached the centre, a little podium holding up the prize in the middle.

It was a person, a person I felt like I could recognise.
But who was he?

I stepped forward, reaching my hands out as if I was swimming towards him.
My feet stumbled as I struggled for air.

I tried to call out but my voice was stuck in my throat.
However, he must have known I was here as he turned around.
His face coming into view as his eyes met mine.
I stopped in my tracks.

“No.” I croaked out as a soft, saddened smile spread across his face.

I jumped awake, my heart pounding out of my chest as I clutched at my shirt.
The sheets below me were soaking in sweat as I heaved to breathe.

I could feel the tears running down my face as I violently shook.
Wrapping my arms around myself, I tried to calm down.
But I ended up just sitting there, holding myself in the middle of the night, shaking and crying as I collapsed.