Where am I?
Why do I feel numb?
It's uncomfortable...
Oh. She remembered now. She looked into the demon's eyes.
Was she dead? Or just in a trance?
It felt like being forcefully lulled to sleep. But she knew, if she gave in, she would sleep forever.
"Bisi!"
Who was that? Her eyelids were heavy. She wanted sleep.
"Bisi! Fight it!"
Fight sleep? No. She loved sleep.
"Bisi! Stay awake! If you sleep, you'll die"
Die?
That was right. She needed to remain awake.
"Bisi please!"
"I'm sorry. I can't do it"
"Bisi!"
♤
"Bisi isn't in school again today?"
"Yes. She's still sick and in a mini coma", Michael sighed, frustrated. "What even happened?"
Aisha grimaced. "She was upset when she left....isn't it odd? There are no injuries found on her body but she still has been unconscious for more than three days"
Michael frowned, unamused. "Whatever the cause is...the doctors should get her out of that coma"
Aisha sighed. "You should lighten up a little. Nobody likes your damp mood...even the teachers have noticed"
"I just can't think straight", Michael lowered his head, a frustrated look in his eyes. "If i had known she was walking home alone, I would've-"
"There's nothing you could've done, Michael", Aisha sternly cut in. "If anything, it's my own fault"
Michael shook his head. "I have a headache. I'm going to the nurse's office"
"Do you want company...?", she hesitantly asked, almost sure of his answer.
He shook his head. "I'd like to be alone for a while"
Aisha nodded understandingly. She blamed herself for letting Bisi go alone that night. If she were there, may be she would've known what happened. And maybe it would've given a clue to help the doctors wake her up.
She put her head on her desk, groaning in frustration. Bisi was just starting to like her and something like this just had to happen.
It had to be her badluck.
♤
Aisha walked home alone. Her home wasn't far from the school so she had decided to walk instead of being picked up like the rest of her peers.
She enjoyed the breeze and scenery.
However, today seemed different. The blue sky seemed cloudier, the weather was cold and the colours just seemed dull.
Was it because she was sad?
She rounded a corner and stopped dead in her tracks. The usually busy street was empty. The provision shops were closed and it overall seemed deserted.
And at the end of the street stood the lonely silhouette of an old, hunched woman.
Hell no.
Aisha wasnt having any of that. She turned, ready to jakpa. But for some reason, she couldn't move.
What the...?
Aisha tried harder, with all her might, trying to break out of whatever spell was placed on her.
And surprisingly, she did.
Once she realised she could move her limbs, she turned to run as fast as she could.
"Wait!"
She was not waiting.
"It's about your friend! The one in the coma!", the old woman's voice didn't sound like it came from someone aged, it sounded very vibrant.
Aisha froze, turning again to face the old woman. She jumped back when she saw the old woman standing only a few steps away from her.
"Are you a spirit? Are you the one who hurt Bisi?", Aisha yelled.
"I didn't hurt your friend. I can guarantee she's well", the woman replied.
"Well?", Aisha's eyes flared in anger. "She's in a coma in a hospital and you have the efontry to say she's well?"
"I understand your worry and frustration", the old woman spoke kindly and patiently. "But this is not the time to let your emotions get the best of you. Your friend is fine, but she's in danger"
That got Aisha's attention. "What do you mean?"
"I cannot say", the old woman shook her head. "But I need you to protect her body at all costs!"
Aisha's head was spinning. "I don't understand. What do you mean? What's going to happen to her?"
The old woman shook her head. "Listen to me, Aisha!"
Aisha's blood ran cold. "H-how do you know my name?"
"Your friend needs your help", the woman spoke. "Get to her body in the hospital and protect it. Her life depends on it!"
"No...wait...I don't understand", Aisha began walking towards the woman but her vision was blurring. "Wait...what's happening...?"
She shut her eyes, the blur in her vision, hurting her eyes.
Her life depends on it...
The old woman's words echoed in her head.
When she opened her eyes, she was back at her desk in school. She sprang up, shocked.
Her classmates looked at her, startled. They wondered what the problem was. She looked pale and scared, like she had just seen a ghost.
"Aisha?", the teacher called her attention.
She looked at him. The afternoon...it was over. She was going home. Why was she back in school?
"S-sir, can I go to the sick bay? My head is aching me", she shivered as she said.
"Ah! First Michael, now you?", the teacher asked.
But Aisha's attention wasn't on him any more. She was lost in her thoughts, still shook from what had just happened.
"Aisha!"
She jumped. "Yes!"
The teacher looked her worriedly. "You can go to the sick bay. It's rare seeing you sick, I hope you're okay"
Aisha nodded, offering a small smile that she hoped was assuring. "I'm fine, sir. Thankyou...just a small head ache"
She quickly walked out quickly, rushing towards the sick bay as fast as she could. When she reached it, she slammed open the door, making Michael jump in shock.
"Michael!"
"Oh my god, Aisha! You're lucky the nurse isn't here! Are you trying to kill me?", his hand was over his chest, trying to calm his startled heart.
"Listen to me. We need to go to the hospital right now!"
Michael frowned. "You're making me worried"
"You should be!", Aisha rushed towards him, frantic.
Michael jumped up. "Calm down. What's going on? You were fine a few minutes ago"
Aisha shook her head. "I can't be calm. Bisi is in danger!"
That got Michael's attention. He narrowed his eyes at Aisha. "What do you mean?"
Frantically, Aisha explained her dream to Michael. He seemed caught between believing her and otherwise.
"Aisha. Are you sure your dream meant something? What if you just dreamt that because you're worried for her like I am?"
Aisha widened her eyes at Michael. "You did not just say that"