I, Human!

CHAPTER 0 - PART IV

Again, I wake to the night. A cold lazy wind blows weakly through the open windows. I'm already chilled to the bone, even though the air is still heavy and humid.

I'm very groggy.

I gulp down the last of my now iced tea. Pulling a mildly disgusted face at how bitter it's gotten from the few stray leaves left at the bottom.

My parents didn't wake me up. Maybe they let me sleep more and had themselves an intimate evening together. They can't just leave me to snooze away this entire holiday. Cheapskates!

I stagger to my feet, then do some quick callisthenics to regain some flexibility. Sleeping on a bare floor with a breeze on you is a sure-fire way to get joint pain and stiff muscles. What am I, 17 going on 70?!.

I close all the windows and curtains, and head along the landing to check the other big room. I don't knock in case I wake my parents, and take a moment to listen for any snoring or sounds of things I shouldn't interrupt. Well, I say that, but to get them back for all this, maybe I should interrupt if they are being naughty.

I don't hear a thing. I hold my breath and listen for a little longer in case they're awake and waiting for the silence to break too. Still nothing.

Delicately, I take hold of the handle, but realise upon contact that the door is already slightly open. Guess they were in a bit of a hurry to get up here. Time to play the unaware child. The door moves silently as I try to peep through the gap into the darkness. The curtains and windows are all still open like I had left them earlier. The room is empty.

"Huh?!."

I go in and close everything again to try and keep some heat in. I'm surprised that I hadn't noticed any before now, but a little buzz and a small prick later, I'm bitten by my first mosquito of the summer. Great. I don't bother trying to find it in the dark, and just finish locking up quickly. I duck my head into the two small rooms, locking windows as I go, but I wasn't expecting to find my parents sleeping in separate single beds anyway. They've got a pretty good relationship for a middle aged couple. Can't even think of a time they've fought, other than when they've not been clear about work/life commitments with each other. Must have just crashed out in the lounge with drinks and snacks.

A warm scent rises up the stairwell to me as I make my way down. At first I think they must have brought back something from town, or actually set about making dinner, but I realise from the glow of the embers in the kitchen, their faint light just enough to illuminate the far side of the lounge, that no one is there. I'd left the fire burning in the grate after making tea. My parents never came back.

My legs give out.

I crumple to the ground, all feeling draining from my body. I go completely numb.

Adrenaline ploughing through my veins, as my heart pounds in my head, and I frantically gasp for breath.

Like drowning on air.

Then I guess I fainted.

I must have rolled onto my side at some point too, because I wake up with my cheek stuck to the floor from drool. I get to my knees, rub my face, and check my phone. I've still got no signal, so no notifications from my parents. I can't even call an emergency number to check if they've been in an accident. It's a little after 2am and I've got about 10% battery left. Godamnit... it's not like there's any way for me to charge the thing here. I decide to go to bed for now and walk into town in the morning to find a place to make calls. Find out what's happened. Hell, maybe they just got too drunk and crashed out at an inn for the night, rather than risk getting stopped by the cops or ending up in a crash. I hope they're okay...