1 Death, and Conception

1 2. Deep breath. 3 4. Exhale. 1 2. Deep breath. Lucy couched herself in the back of a taxi. She really felt like crying. Damned cars! Damned phobia! Damn everything. Lucy wipes her sweaty palm on her jeans. You have to work to feed yourself and pay for tuition. Get to the interview. Get the job. Buy a bike, and never get in a car again. Okay, good plan. Lucy's stomach rolls, when the driver takes a sharp turn.

When he takes another one in quick repetition, Lucy can't contain herself and pukes on the floorboard. "Damn woman, you're paying to get that cleaned!" The driver roars. Deeply regretting paying for a taxi, Lucy glances up at the driver, to find him glaring at her. Lucy's eyes widen. "Watch out!" Lucy screams.

Too late. A delivery truck slams into the taxi. Lucy's body bounces, as a horrible crunching noise sounded in her ears. Lucy feels a sharp pain on the back of her head and sinks into blackness.

~~~

Lucy starts her whole body jerking. I'm alive? Lucy opens her eyes, darkness greeting her. I can't see! Lucy was suddenly gripped by fear. Am I blind? How could she work if she was blind? Lucy reaches out, noticing for the first time, how weak her body felt. My hands feel different. Hard to control, but most importantly. They felt smaller somehow. No that's crazy. Lucy touches what feels like warm silly putty. It was a very weird feeling against her skin. Am I in a tank? Did I get burned?

Despite the slight claustrophobia that came with the thought of being in a box, Lucy was more relieved she probably wasn't blind. Lucy touches her face, confused by how it felt. She ignored the thick gunk on her skin, to explore the contours of her face. It's not my face! What happened? What's going on? Beginning to freak out, Lucy recites. 1 2. Deep breath. 3- Lucy cuts off. There is water in my throat! Horror grew. I can feel it in my lungs! Lucy clamps her mouth shut and begins kicking, hoping to draw a nurse over to save her. Painful seconds tick by, but no one comes. This is negligence! I am going to drown!

Lucy stills, hearing a voice. It was muffled, but straining her ears Lucy managed to make out. Love. Night. Sleep. Darling. What? That didn't sound like a nurse, talking to a patient. She's on her phone! Ignoring me! Lucy kicks again. The voice is clearer. "Now, darling. Settle down, love. Your Father is going to visit me, and I need to be rested." The woman gently scolds, her tone pampering.

What are you talking about? I'm dying here! Annoyed, Lucy opens her mouth to curse. Wait? My lungs aren't burning? Uh! Lucy wanted to scream at the skies. What on earth was happening? Why didn't she need to breathe? Lucy moves her arms to push at the silly putty wall. Maybe I'm dead. Lucy tenses at the thought. I can't be dead. I just turned 23. I'm still a virgin! No. No. No. No!

If I'm dead. Does that mean this is heaven? Or hell? Lucy shudders. There was no fire or brimstone. No fluffy clouds, harps, or angels. Nothing but her floating in water, listening to a gentle voice that had begun to sing. It was almost as if. Am I? Have I been reborn? Lucy yawns, the song working its magic. My body feels so weak. I'm so tired. Choosing not to think farther, Lucy slips into sleep.