Unlovable Limbo

Skylar Hallows decides to begin a normal life, but soon regrets it. She finds herself plummeted in a world full of odd people, talking reptiles, and the mysterious creatures that lurk in the dark.

Chapter One

 

   Nightmares after nightmares, the way the darkness engulfed me made me shudder. Sitting up in my large queen sized bed didn’t make sleeping easier for me, and I know a pea wasn’t under the cushions. My eyes were blood shot red, my lips were chipped and my dirty blond hair lay matted on top of my head. Cold sweat soak my white shirt, my body ached for sleep. But my conscious mind wouldn’t let my eyelids close. My body shook with anticipation, yearning for the sun to rise. I slowly trudged out of regal room, entering my own bathroom that was made too large and cleaned too many times.

            My feet quickly maneuvered through the shiny surface of my bathroom floors, the tiles were colder than ice. I slowly took of my clothes, too tired to keep my eyes open. I entered the wide shower; golden bars lay there ready to be lean on. Without even a second thought I turned the water on, the shower started to blast onto my skin that already held goose bumps.

            The waters felt like pelting ice, my eyes wouldn’t blink and my body wouldn’t move as I took in the cold through my bones. I turned off the shower as I walked out to meet a cold blast of air conditioner. The bathroom looked as if it was a spa, the walls were professionally painted as if they were canvases, and the two hot tubs lay near the ocean view window. I quivered under the bright sun breaking through the city, finally morning has arrived. I sighed exhausted from the constant battle of staying up.

            Horrified that the repeating dream would appear, monster filled a dark green forest with a blue moon watching over the forest. Monsters that looked the same, but were terrifying still. Long black hair clung to their muscled bodies, dark coal eyes and large snarling fangs that could rip me in half. These creatures lurked in the forest, a man always appeared, his face blank and his eyes always calmly landing on one of the beast. He always killed them, blood thirsty, as if he was the beast. I blinked my eyes trying to remove the memories of the beast.

            I reluctantly put on three layer of clothing then a nice warm knitted grey sweatshirt. Sliding a freshly cleaned pair of blue jeans I soon walked out of the ‘spa’ to find myself trailing into the empty stair cases. They were painted eggshell on real wooden mahogany, two separate staircases lead to the middle of the open area where it held the white front door a golden knob. Slowly drifting towards the lowest ground I felt a shock go through my spine as I felt cold water touch the bottom of my feet as I reached the bottom.

            “It’s too silent,” I whispered as I glided through the other rooms, guest rooms, the large kitchen, the dining room, and the two remaining offices where my parents worked. No one was here, not even the maid Alexandria. Putting on my rain boots I left the mansion, walking away. I felt like something was lying on my shoulders, but I couldn’t think of what. I knew my parents were at work, but sometimes they’d stay before I leave for school. The last day of high school,

            Driving to school, seeing the balloons that flew to the blue clear sky made the teenagers cheer out loud. They all dressed in green robes and caps, all of them wearing smiles. I draped the robe around me and the cap on my head. I stumbled forward, running towards the crowd of awaiting parents and a line of student ready to get their diplomas. Student after student reached their parents with smiles on their faces. Knowing where to go and who they knew would be there waiting for them. While I was left alone,

            I fell silent as I grabbed my thin white diploma, shaking the principal’s sweaty hand. With that I soon felt like everyone was shining. All of them soon fell into the parking lot, celebrating with their family. People rushing past me, bashing right through me without a single glance. I shivered from the touch, leaping away from the crowd I slowly waited for the crowd to evaporate. The very touch of another person’s arm made me fidget uncomfortably, the warmth of a new touch scared me.

            Over the years my fears have become over whelming, when it was to heights or the mere thought of touching people, or to death itself I had millions of fears. It turned me into a walking shadow; people probably don’t even remember my name, or my hair color. But I guess that’s what comes with a new stage in life, but what stage would I pick?

            I ran my sweaty hands through my blond hair my eyes scanned my surroundings, knowing I was alone. I soon was heading towards another college, knowing if I went back home I’d be left home alone till midnight. I’d rather try to start my future rather than waste away in that ghastly place. I felt a shiver run down my back, but hot sun blazed down on me, making the back of my neck sweat with worry. I gripped the wheel tightly as the roads were clear, turn after turn the trees become thicker and the world becomes more colorful. Soon I start to close in next to my last chance of getting into college; I twisted my fingers for good luck. Even though I’m not superstitious,

            The building was four floors high, it was red bricked and in the middle of the white tiled pathway was a small water fountain painted white. The water splashed out, sparkling water flew through the air. My mouth lay open as I stared in wonder. People were all around, in the green lush yard or even on the top of the building on the ceiling. All of them looked normal; none of them looked sad or confused. They all knew where they belonged, it felt odd.

            “Are you new here? Are you entering this school?” A girl popped up in front of me, her dark brown straight hair swayed to the right. Her green outfit looked as if she was running for council president, and she won. Her smiled looked like a horse, big and white. I stumbled backwards as my eyes widened. I open my mouth to be interrupted by her high peppy voice. “This school is the best in the state, great academics, but our real amazement is in the art department.” She took my arm in hers. Goose bumps ran down my arm as my lips thinned into a pale line. Sweat started to form on my palms once more.

            She pushed me through the halls, her voice echoing every word she spouts. My mind in a daze all I can do is look; the place reminded me of a small palace, full of knowledge and the unknown. My eyes sparkled at the mystery, the excitement of actually picturing myself at the library, or picking a class to go to. A smile lightly tinted my features, but the thought of changing soon turned my smile into a worried frown. My eyebrows clenched at the thought of all of the stress and worry. My stomach ached at the thought, looking back at the excited girl I couldn’t quite understand what she was saying.

            “I t-think I’ll be okay f-for now,” I stuttered ripping my arm out of her grip. Rushing away from her without a second glance was easier than I thought it would be. Since my interactions with people were slim to none. I guess when you have parents who are super antisocial their children become super antisocial. Especially if you’re an only child.

            Walking through the halls I felt safer, no one was looking at me. There was barely anyone here either. Since people are just entering most people won’t be here till the end of the summer. As I turned corner after corner, looking in detail in every room it felt as if something was at the back of my neck. Watching me.

            Slowly it turned into sunset and it was my time to leave. I was so entranced by the school I couldn’t seem to leave. As if I hypnotized in the school’s presence. Everything about it seemed so natural, not overwhelming but something makes me comfortable. All the colleges I’ve visited made me feel claustrophobic and hyperventilate; I remember puking repeatedly in the bathroom. My nerves over wired, my fears getting the best of me. It all felt like a nice haze at this school’s presence. It felt right.

            With a sudden chill my body wracked in cold sweat, my body yearning for sleep trudged to the bottom floor where the outside parking held my convertible. Step after step I felt my body ache for a warm bed, but the chills of the bloody monsters never fade away. As I reached the finale floor I could only see a few people leaving the building. I looked back towards the council’s office; I’d have to go tomorrow if I wanted to enter into this school.

             Goose bumps ran down my spine as I felt a haunting chill wisp through me, almost as if something was watching me. I looked around as held my body tighter around my long thin arms. My eyes looked around the crooks and crannies, searching for anyone else that could be here. But no one was in sight, everyone left, it was already ten o’clock. My lips quivered in fear. The cold night seemed icily silent; my hands clenched my shoulders to relieve the fear.

            Come to Limbo,

            A slick dark voice swarmed the halls, my heart sped up. I started to sweat as I walked faster towards the main exit where only a few feet away my car was there. I could feel the shadows close in as I reached out for the handles. I pushed the doors open; a rush of cold wind wracked my spine. My teeth chattered in pain as I maneuvered through the empty parking lot. A silhouette appeared; the wind rushed forward making me stumble backwards. Landing flat on my back my heart race ten miles a minute, my eyes landed on the dark figure. A raspy chuckle echoed through the night, my fears escalated as images of my night mare appeared.

            “Hello Skylar,” The voice was menacing, and full of lustful hate the made me wither in fear. His dark demeanor reminded me of the Reaper himself. The cold bit my cheeks as I stumbled towards my black convertible. Reaching for the door I felt the man’s hands curl around my hips, I stood frozen. “You can’t run. Not from Limbo,” His whisper made my skin heat, his arm tightened around me even more.

            I took a firm grip on my pocket knife as I turned around with quick movement as I slashed the thin air, the man was gone. My eyes widened as I stumbled into the car, was I hallucinating? Was it because of my lack of sleep? The car sped by fast through the rode, only few cars were scattered around the roads. Probably heading to their warm home, where their family was waiting for them worriedly.

            The car parked in the large shed where it held five other cars, my father loves convertibles. I walked into the house to be welcomed by Alexandria who was sleeping on our baize couch, mop in hands. She yawn as she rolled around uncomfortably, I yawned back feeling my eyes slowly fall down. I steadily walked towards the upstairs as I walked through my perfected room.

            My room looked like it belonged to a perfectionist, someone who doesn’t have a personality, and someone who can’t seem to make anything personal. My bed sheets were the only thing that seemed personal; my favorite colored sheets the shade of dark green. A forest green.

            I sat on the bed, my stomach clenching in pain as I kept my body awake. I held my self as I looked out the window, cars passing by with their headlights blurring past the neighborhood in great speed. My mouth felt dry as I slowly let myself fall to sleep.

            Limbo is coming for you, help us kill the beast.

            World War 1 was taken in place, people scattered from one tattered area to another. The world was covered in grey sky; people dressed up heavy dark grey suits with an air mask the color of black. People came swooping from the sky, Nazi signs written on their uniforms, but they were wearing the same uniforms. They all were flying out, landing on their feet, grenades and machine guns in their hands. The side that I was planted on started to scream out orders, groups started to charge towards the flying Nazis. I winced as a grenade landed only a few meter away from me, soon an explosion erupted through the dessert killing ground.

            I was backwards through the air landing flat on my back. My head spun and my body wracked in pain, blood oozed out of my shoulder. I looked down to see a uniform that was the color of dark grey, an American flag badge was sown into my uniform. My eyes widened in fear, my blond hair was leaking out of the dark mask that wrapped around my whole face.

            “Get up commander; we need you on the field! What are your orders?” A man’s voice erupted from a walkie-talkie that was tucked in my belt. “Commander!”

            “Get set one out there on the field, their weak point is the dump area near the electric fields!” I yelled into the walkie-talkie, my voice sounded ruff and strong. My confusion heightened as I couldn’t understand my own order.

            The ground wracked as another explosion hit the left sides of the dessert field, making it look like a burial ground. Screams echoed as I closed my eye lids tight, my hands holding onto my shoulder trying to make the blood stop oozing out of me.

            “Are you alright?” I looked up to see a guns pointer pointed at my forehead. I looked up at the figure to see he was too tall and too built to be a woman, I could also see the insignia that I’ve never seen before, it had a small colorless dot in the middle with a clear circle around the dot. My chest moved up and down unhealthily fast, my hands gripped a small pistol that lay on my belt. “How do you feel?” The voice asked, the masked man looked more menacing than the flying bombs.

            “Who are you?” My voice cracked, my eyes looked for a sign but nothing but bloodshed was around us.

            “I’m Faze, and you’re dreaming.” I could feel my eyes slowly drooping down, my body started to ache in tiredness. My mouth quivered as I could remember this man again, always forgetting him when I woke up. But he was the one who always came here, in my dreams.

            “Why do you appear?” My voice sounded stronger, but my body told otherwise as it started wrack in pain. The gun shot felt so real, it couldn’t be a dream? It was too real.

            “I’m here to watch, to see what you can do.” His voice sounded lethal.

            “I don’t know what you’re saying?” I yelled out, my shoulder ached with pain as I screamed out. I held onto my shoulder tightly. He lifted his gun from my face and cocked his head, his mask made him only look more like a Predator. I could feel him smile through his helmet; a shiver ran down my spine.

            “Defend yourself here, right now. Or you will die,” He evaporated from thin air, leaving a thin white mist behind. I stumbled forward; I collapsed onto the dessert floor. I coughed out, blood dripped down my beaten lips. I slowly got back on my feet I looked up to see men everywhere, charging left and right. People everywhere was dead, explosions pounded the ground with no hesitation.

            Helicopters spun above the smoke filled sky, I gaped at this wasteland. Abruptly a man jabbed a sharp thin knife into my other shoulder blade, I scream out. I turn swiftly on my feet, my enemy charged once again with his bloody knife. I blocked his attack with my arm to be kicked in my gut. My eyebrows clenched inwards as my anger started to boil. I flipped my gun forward as I pressed the trigger, the man only a step away from me fell backwards the knife at his side.

            My breathing echoed through my helmet as my heart raced, my skin was covered in cold sweat and goose bumps. I staggered forward, feeling the adrenalin pound through my body as if I wasn’t even in pain, I couldn’t feel my shoulder’s warm sting. I started run through screaming men, the dead bombers, and ground explosions. With two swords held tightly by each hand, I felt a group of men get into formation.

            “Your command General,” A woman beside me yelled out as she raised her gun. I was a general in my dream; a dream so scary was to be fighting in a war.

            “Attack!” I yelled out, my simple command lead hundreds of people charging in on Nazis, who were doing the exact same as us. We all maneuvered through the slicing swords and gun shots, I could feel my swords slice through bodies of people. One by one I could feel my adrenalin so powerful that I felt like I was flying through the dessert. Blood was splattered all over my suit; my men soon became thinner and thinner. Nazis piled up one by one.

            All of them surrounded me with guns and bloody swords. My men lay flat on the dessert floor, they lay amuck bloody and tattered. An ache swelled throughout my body as I could feel my walkie-talkie fill with static, no feedback from my troops. I tightened my fist around the sharp blood stained blades. They all crashed into me with all sorts of weapons, I sliced man after man fighting for my very life.

            My blade slashed a man’s head as it fell to the floor I could visibly see the man’s burnt face as the mask lay there beside him. A bullet hit the back of my leg as I kicked the man from my left side that was jabbing blindly in the thin air. The man fell to the ground already knocked out, I staggered backwards feeling the blood ooze out of my leg, my shoulder had already dried but it had still left the stinging bullet. I groaned in pain as my body slumped to the ground, men were splattered across the dessert plains.

            “Looky here, someone likes it when their blade hits someone else’s flesh.” The man’s voice rang throughout the dessert. The same man who’s been haunting my dreams. My anger flared out as my face blushed; I could feel my chest heave into a harsh coughing fit. “You need to get to Limbo soon, or you’ll soon die.” He chuckled. A light gray fog appeared; the man’s silhouette appeared in front of me. He gracefully glided towards me, he chuckled at my position. I looked up to see a rugged thin man, a dark olive color. He had dark coal black eyes and a thin white smile that made my spine wrack in fear.

            “W-who are y-you?” I asked, my voice cracking as the pain spread throughout my body.

            “I’m your, buddy?” He said it as if it was a question.

            “My buddy?” I asked aloud. Clenching my fist around my shoulders, both wounded again by too many stabs.

            “You’re someone who had the predicament to live in the living world, but you were born in Limbo. The people you live with are not your parents, their decoys.” His smile widened, his whole posture turned snake like. My lips tightened into a thin white line, sweat dripped down my neck.

            “W-what do you mean?” I stuttered out.

            “Let me make this simple, you don’t belong with the living.” My eyes widened as I moaned in pain, my shoulders felt like they were on fire.

            “I-I don’t k-know what you’re talking about!” I screamed out, my voice cracked. The man chuckled in amusement.

            “Your soul is calling for you, it’s not with you. You haven’t had your soul since you were born, but now that it’s calling for you. You have to go towards it,” I couldn’t understand what he was saying, the thought of even having a soul was horrendous. “Your soul remains in Limbo, you were born there. You had to go there some day,”

            “I don’t understand what Limbo is?” I yelled out. He chuckled once more; he looked so tall and sleek, evil.

             “It’s the in between, it’s life and death, limbo to refer to states of oblivion, confinement, or transition is derived from the theological sense of Limbo as a place where souls remain that cannot enter heaven, for example, unbaptized infants. Limbo in Roman Catholic theology is located on the border of Hell, which explains the name chosen for it. Is that clear enough for you to understand?” He asked out loud. My mind went blank, my mouth felt dry and my hands were hot and clammy. I could feel my chest heave up for air, I couldn’t breathe.

            “I’m soulless.” I said. The man smiled sadly at me his coal black eyes sparkled with amusement.

            “Souls control you, and your soul’s demanding you back.” His voice slithered around the dessert, people scattered everywhere dead.

            “But why this dream?” I asked.

            “O Baba, the splendor of Maya is deceptive. The blind man has forgotten the Name; he is in limbo, neither here nor there.” His voice sounded monotone, the saying made no sense to my hazy mind.

 

                                   [o-o-o]

 

            My eyes opened to see my room’s white ceiling; my body was soaked in hot sticky sweat. I blinked a few times; I looked down at my shaking bony hands. My shoulders were tense and my eyes were blood shot. A sudden knock at my door made me jump out of my bed entangled in my baby blue blankets, falling flat on my face.

            “Honey, we wanted to celebrate your eighteenth birthday.” My mother’s nervous shy voice rang through my room. I slowly walked out of my room without taking a second glance at my messy blankets. I opened the door to be engulfed in a strong warm hug by skinny father; he was almost as bony as me. I only resembled my family in pale skin and blond hair, but our features look nothing alike.

            “I can’t believe our little girl is all grown up!” My father swooned. I smiled as I clung to my father, still feeling a dark shadow of my nightmare. I shivered at the resemblance of all the bloody men, lying dead on the dessert floor.

            “Quit that, you’re going to suffocate her!” My mother squealed hitting my father’s arms away. I laughed, happy that my parents were finally able to celebrate my birthday. Their jobs usually don’t allow them to have family time with me.

            “So why all of a sudden?” I asked.

            “What do you mean? Were your parents, isn’t that reason enough!” My mother yelled out glaring at me, I rolled my eyes. “I even made you birthday cake.” She announce pointing her finger in the air. We walked to the dinner room; I saw streamers hanging from the crystal lights. A huge white cake lay in the middle of the dining table it was covered in handmade frosting roses.

            “Thanks,” I said smiling picking up a plate from the table. They smiled at each other, their eyes gleamed with excitement. We all ate at the table like a happy family for once in our lives, and if felt good.

            “I think I found a college I want to go to.” I nervously played with my leftover cake.

            “Which college?” They asked in unison, the whole room fell dead silent.

            “Wetherns College, it’s the best art school in the state.” I muttered as I looked down at my hands.

            “What?” They asked astonished, in unison once again. Their mouths dropped to the floor, their eyes were glowing with shame.

            “I want to go to Wetherns College.” I stated, crossing my arms.

            “Yeah, we heard you. But we never agreed that you could go to an art college.” My mother sneered dropping her fork dramatically.

            “What she means sweety, is that most people who go into art as their major. End up nowhere.” My father stated sweetly.

            “So Da Vinici ended up a bum?” I asked angrily, looking up from my food to glare at my parents.

            “No, it’s just that you’re no Da Vinici.” My mother giggled as my father stated this. I stood, my face hidden from messy blond hair. I walked out of the room hurrying up the stair case.

            “Where do you think you’re going? You’re ruining your birthday!” My mother yelled, I looked down to see my parents glaring up at me. My anger sparked like a lightning bolt running through my veins.

            “No. You ruined my birthday by choosing my future as if my choice doesn’t matter!” I yelled. My family looked at each other with confused expressions.

            “But it’s not your choice, it’s ours. We own you! You wouldn’t have survived without us.” My father yelled back. My eyes widened as hot tears streamed down my face. I slammed the door to my room, quickly locking it with a ‘click’. I stumbled to the floor; I landed on the soft carpet. I curled up on the floor, feeling weak and tired.  I hated the feeling of wanting sleep; I didn’t want to ever feel those horrible nightmares again. My parents started to knock on my door, begging for me to come out.

            I quickly got up and slammed the door open, my face red with anger and stained with hot tears. I expected to see my parents standing there making excuses instead of apologizing. But instead I find myself staring at the mysterious man who was in my dreams. Faze was his name, it felt so weird to see him without the haze of my dreams. My eyes widened remembering the nightmare once more, I slammed the door. I locked it quickly turning away from the door Faze was there lying on my bed. My breath caught as I felt myself start to hyperventilate.

            “Nice to see yah again, it would be polite for the host to get the guest a nice cold beverage.” Faze announced with a thin smile. My whole body wracked in fear as my hands wrapped around the door knob.

            “What are you doing here?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

            “I’m taking you to Limbo,”

Author's Note

Sorry for the errors, I hope you enjoyed my story.

Reviews

[AK]

Very very nice beginning! It is going wonderfully. The conversations are so natural and the flow is brilliant. Keep writing!
P.S: if it a book(containing many chapters) you are writing, add a book and add chapters in the book. That way the chapters can be organised. If you don't know how to do it, feel free to message me:)