Everything's Gonna be Alright

Chapter - 16

Neil's Story - A Tear-Stained Face

Neil placed his phone on his desk, face down, and laid on his bed recounting everything that he had gone through this summer. Memories came rushing back, the first time he met Nikki on the bus, the horrible stench of Camp Campbell, meeting the pessimist known as Max, everything the trio had achieved over the weeks. Before he could get lost any further, the phone violently vibrated from his desk, signalling someone was trying to contact him. With a deep sigh, Neil slid off the bed and over towards the phone he picked it up to see a message from Nikki, it read:

'Asked Dad about going to the competition, he said no. ill see if i can change his mind… sry… send pics and videos throughout the day so i can see how you did. Wish i could go :(((('

Neil felt a pang of dismay stab through his body knowing that he wouldn't have a friend there to support him. Nevertheless, he replied.

'No worries, I'll update you whenever I can.'

Neil returned his phone to the place it sat prior, as well as flopping back on his bed sighing heavily. The longer Neil laid there, the heavier his eyelids felt. Before long Neil had drifted off into a soft slumber.

Neil opened his eyes to see nothing but darkness. He tried to look around, trying to figure out his surroundings. "May the best child win, and just so you know. I don't intend on losing." Neil's mother's voice echoed around him. She wasn't far, but she wasn't close either. "Mum?" Neil called out into the distance, he waited for a response. Nothing. Neil opened his mouth to speak into the abyss before being cut off. "Jesus Christ. What's with all the stupid fucking questions?" Max's voice sounded the same as Neil's Mum. Now Neil was confused. "You tried at least." A third voice rang out from the pitch black. "What is going on?" Neil asked himself as he found himself looking out into the darkness. "She's got a point. You've been pretty annoying today." "Shut up loser." "God, you are so annoying!" "Why don't you disappear?" "A cynical, close-minded asshole."

Are you guys talking to me?" Neil shakily called out to the darkness. Before long all the voices began merging together creating one large voice of criticisms. He could feel his chest tighten as the air seemed to grow thin around him. A chill danced across his skin as though it were taunting him. He hugged himself tightly trying to ignore the chorus of voices. "Go away!" The boy screamed out into the everlasting distance. He began to run, he had no clue where he was running to, but he knew he had to leave.

"Where are you going, Neil?" A familiar voice spoke to him, suddenly a spotlight shone down on the person who owned it. He looked up and felt the cool goosebumps rise. A heavy fog clouded the entire area. "Leave me alone." He wanted to scream, his hands shook rapidly, he could feel his heart in his throat. He felt nauseous. Neil turned around preparing to run away. "Why are you running?" Another body blocked his path. He looked over his shoulder at the other figure staring at him. "Why are you looking at me like that?" He yelled. The figure didn't respond. "Don't ignore me you ass!" Once again Neil tried his pursuit in escaping this new-found hell. Before he could go anywhere a bright light shone around him. So bright that it burned his eyes, he yelped in shock. Once he had adjusted to the new source of brightness he found he was surrounded by his friends, his family.

"What do you want from me?" He could feel his body giving up on him, the facade he puts on begin to slip. None of the figures moves a muscle. They all just stared him down. His shaky legs gave way and he collapsed to the ground, tears beginning to fall down his face. "Why are you doing this?" his voice full of uncertainty and fear. Instead of an answer, he got chanting. The voices slowly grew louder and louder, all of them filled with criticisms. He couldn't take it. He knew what they were saying was true, but he didn't want to admit it, because if he did, would anyone really want him? The noise began to hurt, He cupped his hands over his ears screaming from the pain.

He sat on the floor hugging his knees shaking back and forth begging for something, anything to come and save him from himself. He was terrified.

Suddenly his eyes snapped open, pupils huge, adrenaline coursing through his veins. She shot up out of bed, sitting upright he felt as if he was about to explode from the inside. He could hear his hyperventilation, his heart pounding in his ears like a banging of a drum. He could feel the tears staining his face.

"What the fuck was that?"