Chapter 187: The Skeletons VII
20 years ago, Fresno, California
Thirteen-year-old Sam jerked off the couch, gasping for breath, panting and heaving like she had been underwater for too long. She collapsed on the floor, her mind filled with new---old memories. She could see the hypnotist, looking at her in concern and surprise, sat on her chair as if paralyzed.
She had been screaming, and her throat felt like sandpaper. Yes, she knew exactly why.
Sam pushed herself back up, arms and knees trembling, from exhaustion and terror.
Her face soaked with both sweat and tears, and she ran.
She ran, not knowing where to.
But she continued to run till she couldn’t run anymore.
It was minutes after when her knees buckled over, falling against the cold asphalt in some deserted alley. Body shaking in confusion, in fear of the past that she felt as though she was reliving---as more memories flashed through her mind, both so fresh and so old. Her trusted dog tried to soothe her, sitting next to her licking her damp face.
Haunting memories filled her every breath and made her stomach turn, causing her to hurl whatever was left inside, coming into waves, even after she was empty.
It made so much sense, why she was so afraid.
She had seen monsters, REAL monsters, not like what children make up in their funny little heads. No, it was true monsters that had frightened her...but there was an even bigger monster. The worst Monster of all--one she had lived with before she was tossed away like an old-used rug.
Her body tensed when she felt a hand touch her back, but as soon as it came, she relaxed, recognizing the hand holding her crimson hair back while she vomited nothing but gastric juices.