Mental Escape as Published in the Isolation Anthology

My outstretched arms could touch the corners of my world, but stayed wrapped around my trembling legs. The damp stone walls scraped my raw back. Warm liquid slid from my wounds—a bad sign despite the brief bit of warmth they provided. The filthy, flimsy cloth clung to my body, but did nothing except provide the illusion of concealment. The beating of my heart flooded my ears, leaving no room for any other sounds.

I wish I could leave this hell, if only for a moment.

The dusty copper taste of blood ran down my throat. I extended by cupped hand towards the pipe that protruded into my space, my only source of water, but the growing tremors from cold and fear hindered my ability to bring the small amount I could gather to the swollen logs pretending to be my lips. A few drops passed through the valleys in my cracked lips and entered my mouth. Not enough, but it was something. I shifted my head under the slow trickle of water, only to have the jagged stone press against my red inflamed skin. After getting enough of the cool liquid to remove some of the copper from my mouth and throat, I wiggled back to my spot, relieving the pressure on my swollen eye socket.

I wish I could be outside in the sun. Despite my desires, the scene refused to appear in my mind.

The sounds of booted feet echoed off the concrete outside. I pushed my head between my aching knees to cover my ears. I wrapped my hands across the back of my neck.

No, not again.

The booted feet blocked the light that filtered under my door. I began to sob silently, though my body had ceased to produce tears. My teeth pierced my swollen lips and the taste of copper flooded my mouth.

Please move on.

Beatings had been my only human contact.

Watching the boots stand outside my door, my stomach churned and threatened to expel the gruel I'd managed to consume earlier. My body ached and begged me to run, but this space provided no room to fight.

My vision left me as the door flung open, allowing the full brightness of the outside to flood my existence. I reached up to grab the pipe, but it slipped through my grasp as I felt a tug on the shackles.

I can't stay here.

My legs were pulled straight by the force on my ankles. I tucked my chin to avoid slamming my head against the rough, dry concrete floor as my body dragged was into the light.

As soon as the pressure on my shackles released, I rolled over onto my aching knees

tucked my body into the smallest possible position. The shaking was beyond my control.

No.

A boot smashed into the small of my back. A bolt of fire raced to my brain. Stars filled my vision.

Maybe the stars were the solution. I could leave on them.

The blows continued to fall, until my world went dark. My ears heard a loud visceral scream that echoed off the hard, cold walls. As my eyes flickered open, I closed my mouth and the noise stopped. Fresh wounds stung from a liquid thrown onto them.

Please let me go back to the pasture.

My body was hoisted off the ground. I crashed into the damp wall of my cell and the stars returned.

The smell of freshly mowed grass finally called to me.

I let go and found myself ridding Lady, my lovely brown mare. I could feel the movement of the horse beneath me as we galloped across the beautiful, sunny pasture. The sun beat down on my face. There was no more fear or pain as Lady and I moved as one across the short, cropped grass.