Anesthesia
written by: Francesca Barbara
She could not remember how she got there, but she was walking a long trail in the gloomy light of a brown evening. The woods pressed tightly around her; she did not like walking alone, but she would do that all the time.
A repetitive beeping sound scattered the silence in the air, cutting through her and piercing her ears. Stomach clenched and twisted.
Suddenly, blood was flooding the crossroads.
She saw the shadows of two figures lying lifeless beneath a weeping willow, with their limbs tangled in a field of forget-me-nots.
A cry rose from somewhere nearby – it sounded like a child.
Why am I alone?
Who is this child?
What is going on?
Fear dwelt in her bones; they froze. Beep. Beep. Beep. Still, she kept on walking, following the gut instinct to find and protect that child. She could still save her. Beep. Beep. Beep. The looming branches of the trees stretched endlessly, almost suffocating her. There was no end in sight.
Beeeep. Beeeep.
Beeeeep. Beeeeeep
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeep.
“She has lost a lot of blood, but she is still alive” said a voice from above.
The beeping sound screamed more and more thunderously as she opened her eyes.
- Anesthesia - July 19, 2025
