《Meditation》


 Meditation

    Smoke filled the dimly lit room. Drifting across the room in its slow, slothful way. Never dissipating, filling every corner in a deceptively artful swirl.


    Vines crawled and wormed through the walls. While it was obvious they were once great lush plants, they now grasp at the last bits of life allotted to them. Petals of their flowers were clinging limp, or else they were all over the floor among the dogs. The dogs themselves did not turn to face me as I entered, nor did they seem to exert any energy. If not for their deep, drawn breaths I would believe them dead.


    Breathing in the room was difficult and when achieved, I came to know the miasma for what it was.


    Anger,


    Contempt,


    Frustration.


    I pulled my scarf around my face lest I breathe in the noxious fumes and become overtaken by them.


    As I came further into the room, I saw a resplendent chair. Covered in the furs of every animal I knew and more I did not. Pillows lined the back and sides of the chair to ensure the one seated on it would not feel any discomfort.


    Sitting was a girl who if not for her rigid, upright posture she would have appeared to be sleeping. Dark ichorous markings and deep jagged scars adorned most every inch of skin, save for her pale scalp which still bore the irritation that indicated a recent shave. At either side were two attendants, both as pale as their lady and although I looked closely at their faces, I cannot recall any features.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The woman did not open her eyes as I stepped closer nor did she speak. Instead, she breathed in and a bright clear light came from the window and entered her nostrils, and she exhaled the angry gray smoke, that began slithering out of her mouth and joining the rest of the toxic particles. Poisoning everything in the room except for the woman and her unmoving attendants. Fresh from her lips the smoke didn''t feel like the cool infection it did at the entrance but instead was like the oppressive, overwhelming heat of a forest fire.


    She quickly cocked her head into a jarring angle. An awful, unnatural sound, like pottery breaking, echoed throughout the dreadful room, and she finally, regretfully, opened her eyes.


    Garish yellow irises surrounded by vile, black sclera.


    She looked at me and saw me.


    Not my eyes


    Nor my clothes.


    Nor even my body.


    She looked at me and saw my very being, saw my soul.


    And snarled with disgust.


    She breathed the pure light once more into herself and exhaled, not just the loathsome smoke, but liquid fire and spoke in a voice much older and deeper than her appearance would lead one to believe.


    I dreaded what she had to say.


    I couldn''t bare to hear her speak. I would die if I didn''t hear her speak.


    If I never hear her speak again it would be the greatest kindness and the worst punishment.


    I fear I will never forget what she said, I pray I never do.


    "So you''re finally here"

 Ghost

    I found myself in an abandoned market. There were people I could sense but not see, music I could hear but not place and colours I could see if I focused. The bricks under my feet burned despite not feeling like I was making contact with the ground. I walked in the shade until I came upon an opened door leading into a dim room that promised to provide relief from the heat.


    The room was filled with women I could sense and almost see. They were laughing and joking and talking about the events of the day. They didn''t acknowledge me when I entered but the burning sensation was spreading to my ankles and they didn''t object to me entering. I went to sit on one of the chairs.


    The red, long, one looked to have space for me. It looked cushioned and after all the walking I must have done it would be a blessing. But I didn''t feel relaxed. I ran my hands across the fabric but didn''t feel the and it didn''t shift under my weight.


    I had sat close to one of the women who seemed to have dark, curled hair and she moved to accommodate me better but made no indication of knowing I was there. Not even as I started to scratch my burning legs. I knew I should be moving her skirts with how close we were but they didn''t move and she didn''t react. The burning was growing more intense, I try to distract myself.


    It took too much energy to keep up with the conversation, listening too closely made me feel like I was weightless. A blond haired woman lit a few candles with strange markings on them and it became easier to simply be. It also became easier the feel that forsaken pain. The burning was at my waist now, and intolerable. It was agony and I needed to let the pain out.


    So I Screamed


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.And Screamed


    And Screamed


    Screaming was it''s own agony but it couldn''t compare to the burning, burning, burning, burning. It was everywhere. It was everything. I wrenched my eyes open to see how to escape the damned burning. The women. They must hear me. They must help me.


    The women. Were. Puttering about. The room.


    How dare they! I pray that the fire that must be in me burns outward and engulfs them, this room and the entire market! Grabbing bowls and spices! Daring to prepare food while I burn! Filling countless mugs and pitchers with water to mock me! Drawing on the damned walls and moving rocks around!


    A younger girl went to cover her ears. Good. She can hear me. She will either help or she will never stop hearing me scream.


    And Scream


    And Scream


    And Scream


    "Its alright, you''re safe now" the dark haired one said. Right before she threw a pitcher of water on me.


    The relief was almost as painful as the fire. I was startled by not burning in the first time in memory. With the lack of burning sensation came an overwhelming amount of other sensations.


    The chair was made of plush velvet. The room was cool. The women''s faces were clearly discernable. I am truly here in the room.


    "What did you do?"


    "Sorry. Other people manage to figure out how to not burn so we thought you would as well. Have a drink."


    "Cut the shit! Why was I burning? Why did you burn me?"


    "Oh Darling," the red hair simpered "We didn''t burn you,  you were burning before you ever came here. What do you remember before coming here."


    What did I remember? The more I drink, the more obvious it is that I had a life before entering the market. I had entered other markets before. Sold furs from animals that I had hunted. Traveled and made friends and enemies by giving extra furs to those who looked in need. I told them as much.


    The young one, who I could now see had freckles, asked "Ok what is the last thing you remember?"


    "A man falsely accused me of being in league with the devil and impregnating his wife."


    "Falsley Accused?" The blonde asked, amused.


    "Madam I can assure you, I cannot impregnate anyone and I''m not so simple as to sell my soul to the devil and not gain the ability to do so.