Close your eyes and step through

Opening your eyes, you see the white room once more. Naked, you?re surprised to feel no sensation, no warmth or cold. You sit up, which you are able to do, even though you can?t feel yourself bend. Looking left, the raven sits, eyeing you. On your right you find a dove, also checking you over. Simultaneously, they lift off into the sky, circle around you thrice, then flutter back down to earth. Each one lands on a shoulder, then turns towards you and pokes a beak in your ear. What should hurt causes no pain, as they pierce through your brain, extending their beaks until they touch.

Bolting up, you can?t see a thing. Pitch black. Frantic, you feel around for something familiar, when you come across what feels like a suitcase. It?s your Mom?s luggage! Turning around, you see no sign of the portal. Was it a dream?

Scrambling to the front of the room, you swing open the door. The living room! You never thought you?d be so happy to see it. Crawling out, you dust yourself off, grabbing the suitcase.

Hauling it up the stairs is more difficult than usual, as you?re unusually weak. But you get it to the top and go to place it in her bedroom when you hear a cup shatter. ?Gabriella!? It?s your mother. What is she doing home?

Dropping the luggage, you walk into the kitchen. There she stands, as well as Alan, staring at you wide-eyed.

?What the??? you start.

Mom rushes over to give you a hug. ?Where have you been?? she shouts.

?I was just getting your luggage, like you asked.?

Stepping back, she looks at you in horror. ?I sent you down there two days ago! Have you been in there the whole time?? You look at Alan to see if Mom?s going crazy. Nope. You?re the crazy one.

?I?I guess so. Maybe I fell asleep. Or bumped my head or something.?

Mom hugs you again. ?We should get you to a doctor. Your Dad and your sister have been out looking for you. Oh, I?m so glad you?re safe.?

?Me too, Mom.?

Looking over her shoulder, you see Alan is crying. Letting go of Mom, you walk over to him and throw your arms around him.

?I thought I lost you,? he says, gripping you fiercly.

?I thought so, too,? you reply.

He grabs your chin, looking you in the eye. ?Never again?? he asks.

You kiss him softly.

    The End