19 September 2012
Ethan had walked miles into the fog looking for a way out. This had become a daily routine, a way to keep himself sane while the fog surrounded him. Hours had passed and though he felt tired, he still had enough energy to keep walking. Time wasn't relative here. Neither was pain, death or hunger. He could just survive. He had ideas as to what was keeping him alive, a machine at the other end but he didn't want to think about that.
As he kept walking, he tried to remember how long he had been here. He had stopped counting when Doc turned up but it had been 64 days up to that point. 16 weeks. 2 months. He had stopped mourning how many days it had been since he had seen her.
Her.
Maddison.
The memory tore into him as he remembered his last day with her.
"So this is it huh, your special spot" she teased him as he laid down the blanket. He smiled, knowing it had been worth the hike to share this with her. The sun was shinning in a cloudless blue sky. He had chosen the perfect spot by the river, close enough to get wet but far away enough to not worry about the tide.
Maddison dropped the picnic basket in the middle of the blanket before shrugging out of her black cardigan. Ethan could only watch her as she shook out her auburn coloured hair, the sun seeming to catch the deeper red highlights. As she turned to face him, she smiled at Ethan before walking into his arms. "So was it worth it?" he asked over her head. "Pretty worth it...then again, anything is with you" Maddison replied with a grin as she looked up at him. At 6ft 1, his height meant he stood over most people but Maddison was an exception. She reached his shoulder and wouldn't back down from him just because of his height.
Ethan leaned down to kiss her lips, feeling the rush of exhilaration as she opened her mouth to him and her tongue met his. He felt more than heard her moan and he knew she could feel his physical response. With a groan he pulled away, stroking her face before kissing her forehead.
"Do you wanna eat now or relax for a bit?" he asked her. "Hmm relax for now, if that's okay?" she asked hesitantly. "It's okay Maddie" he said, pulling off his navy hoody before settling down on the blanket. He patted the space next to him while moving the picnic basket to the edge.
Maddison sat down next to him before pulling him to lie down with her. Ethan held her, his hand entwined with hers as the warm sun bathed them in light. "I love you Maddison, you saved me you know" he whispered, feeling her shiver from his warm breath. "I know, but you healed me. We're a pair of fuck ups who got lucky" she said with a giggle into his shoulder. He smiled at her rare use of explicit language, his Maddie was a pure soul and he loved that about her.
"I feel sleepy..." Maddison said as she yawned. "Mhmm-hmm" he mumbled. With that she fell into a comfortable sleep in his arms. A mix of the sun and the sound of the river ensured a peaceful nap for her. As Ethan watched the soft breeze blow through the trees, he felt happy. Even more so because Maddison was here. With her, it was always a precious moment. The thought made him smile, as he felt the lull of sleep. Nothing would go wrong as long as Maddie was by his side. - "Hello Ethan" Ethan snapped out of the memory and he focused on Doc. "Hey Doc" he replied, "You look more haggard than usual". Doc gave a thin smile as he fixed his tie. His gray suit looked more rumpled than usual and he did look more tired. "Ethan it seems we've run out of time" Doc said, his voice sounding despondent. "They don't think this is working, my experiment. So they want to pull the plug, on me anyway." he ended with a snort. Doc never snorted. Ethan couldn't believe what he was hearing. Without Doc, it would just be him and the fog again. "When?" Ethan croaked out. "Today son. I'm so sorry" Doc answered, the endearment touching Ethan's heart. - "Mind if we skip the pep talk today?" Ethan asked as he stood up, brushing imaginary dirt off his jeans. "Sure Ethan....take care son" Doc mumbled before the light flashed. - Ethan howled at the cloudy sky, the pain of being alone screaming out of his body. He needed more time because without Doc, he had no idea what would happen to him. This couldn't be the end of him, not like this. In his mind where he couldn't reach her.
"Maddison" he barely whispered her name. Her name sounded foreign to his lips, the name of someone he didn't know.
"Maddison" he said a bit louder, picturing her face now, her beautiful auburn hair.
"Maddison!" he shouted, wishing he was looking at her deep blue eyes, like sapphires almost.
"Maddison!!" he screamed at the sky, throwing his head back to let her name free. He imagined her lips on his, how small and sensual her mouth was as she smiled at him before kissing him.
"Maddison....I love you Maddie, I always will" he said to the fog, feeling the absolute pain of losing her again.
"Alive or dead, I love you" he mumbled.
In the distance, a rumble started. The ground shook as though a giant was running. Ethan stumbled and tried to stay upright but a crack appeared between his legs. All he could see was a endless black, stretching forever. Before he could react, the ground shifted and he fell. Free falling mile after mile into darkness, he tried catching his breath but it was too much.
"Maddie..." he whispered as he blacked out.
-
"Ethan, wake up" came a voice, as if mumbled by gauze.
"Ethan, open your eyes." said the voice again.
Ethan struggled to open his eyes, feeling the pull of sleep. He smelt the familiar smell of a hospital and heard the beeping of machine.
As his eyes cracked open against the bright yellow light, Ethan managed to register that it was sunlight in his face.
"The light...hurts" Ethan managed to croak.
"Oh yes, sorry. Is that better?" the voice asked as Ethan heard the blinds being drawn.
He opened his eyes again noting that the room was still light but dimmed against the glare of the sun.
"Ethan do you know me?" asked the voice.
"Doc" he said, without knowing why. He looked at the man on the side of his bed, and the name repeated in his head. "Doc" he repeated, sure of it this time.
"Yes Ethan, that's me. Welcome back" Doc said with a satisfied smile. "You're out of the fog", he continued, "And you're in the hospital. I'll have to fetch your mother"
"My mother...?" Ethan asked before his mind flashed mother with an image. Yes he had a mother, and small petite woman who had chocolate brown eyes just like his and shared his passion for reading. He just knew that information. The machine started beeping slightly faster as more of his memories returned to him. He had a father too, and a golden retriever. He hated maths. He loved the outdoors.
"Yes your mother. She'll be so happy to see you Ethan" Doc grinned at him as he moved to the door, his green eyes lit up. Before he left the room, Doc paused and turned back to Ethan. "I'm glad you were able to let go Ethan, you needed to move on from her" Doc said, the smile no longer vibrant on his tired face.
Her.
Maddison.
"Maddison..." Ethan whispered as Doc walked out.
"Maddison!" he shouted as his memory came back to him of that day. The machine reached a frantic beeping as he tried to get out of the bed. A nurse rushed in to stop him, "Sorry sir, you'll have to stay in the bed" she said as she tried to push him into bed.
"No I have to find her" he growled at the nurse before attempting to stand on his legs. He buckled under his own weight, his legs unable to support him.
"Just stay there, I'll get an orderly" the nurse instructed him before running out of the room.
"Well where else would I fucking go?" he threw at her back. "Fuck Maddie, I'm coming baby, I promise" he vowed as he tried to push himself of the ground.
He wouldn't stop until he got her back.
Righteous II • Opuss № I