1 2 . Deep breath . 3 4 . Exhale . 1 2 . Deep breath . Lucy couched herself in the back of a taxi . She really felt like crying . Damned cars! Damned phobia! Damn everything . Lucy wipes her sweaty palm on her jeans . You have to work to feed yourself and pay for tuition . Get to the interview . Get the job . Buy a bike, and never get in a car again . Okay, good plan . Lucy's stomach rolls, when the driver takes a sharp turn .

AdvertisementWhen he takes another one in quick repetition, Lucy can't contain herself and pukes on the floorboard . "Damn woman, you're paying to get that cleaned!" The driver roars . Deeply regretting paying for a taxi, Lucy glances up at the driver, to find him glaring at her . Lucy's eyes widen . "Watch out!" Lucy screams .

Too late . A delivery truck slams into the taxi . Lucy's body bounces, as a horrible crunching noise sounded in her ears . Lucy feels a sharp pain on the back of her head and sinks into blackness .

~~~

Lucy starts her whole body jerking . I'm alive? Lucy opens her eyes, darkness greeting her . I can't see! Lucy was suddenly gripped by fear . Am I blind? How could she work if she was blind? Lucy reaches out, noticing for the first time, how weak her body felt . My hands feel different . Hard to control, but most importantly . They felt smaller somehow . No that's crazy . Lucy touches what feels like warm silly putty . It was a very weird feeling against her skin . Am I in a tank? Did I get burned?

Despite the slight claustrophobia that came with the thought of being in a box, Lucy was more relieved she probably wasn't blind . Lucy touches her face, confused by how it felt . She ignored the thick gunk on her skin, to explore the contours of her face . It's not my face! What happened? What's going on? Beginning to freak out, Lucy recites . 1 2 . Deep breath . 3- Lucy cuts off . There is water in my throat! Horror grew . I can feel it in my lungs! Lucy clamps her mouth shut and begins kicking, hoping to draw a nurse over to save her . Painful seconds tick by, but no one comes . This is negligence! I am going to drown!

Lucy stills, hearing a voice . It was muffled, but straining her ears Lucy managed to make out . Love . Night . Sleep . Darling . What? That didn't sound like a nurse, talking to a patient . She's on her phone! Ignoring me! Lucy kicks again . The voice is clearer . "Now, darling . Settle down, love . Your Father is going to visit me, and I need to be rested . " The woman gently scolds, her tone pampering .

What are you talking about? I'm dying here! Annoyed, Lucy opens her mouth to curse . Wait? My lungs aren't burning? Uh! Lucy wanted to scream at the skies . What on earth was happening? Why didn't she need to breathe? Lucy moves her arms to push at the silly putty wall . Maybe I'm dead . Lucy tenses at the thought . I can't be dead . I just turned 23 . I'm still a virgin! No . No . No . No!

If I'm dead . Does that mean this is heaven? Or hell? Lucy shudders . There was no fire or brimstone . No fluffy clouds, harps, or angels . Nothing but her floating in water, listening to a gentle voice that had begun to sing . It was almost as if . Am I? Have I been reborn? Lucy yawns, the song working its magic . My body feels so weak . I'm so tired . Choosing not to think farther, Lucy slips into sleep .