Voices In The Dark
(First Draft Plus / Laughing Chance)
I was never afraid of the dark. Even as a child I never required a night-light.
There was something alluring and comforting in its nothingness. So I walked these abandoned passageways and subterranean tunnels, stumbling along in the darkness. The passage was on an incline and I inched my way down it step-by-step, deeper and deeper. Although I did not understand their nature, I had followed the voices down here willingly.
Occasionally, the fluttering of a bare bulb hanging from the ceiling illuminated the corridor before me. As I walked the path I could hear unfortunate insects being crushed underfoot, water dripping from high up above into puddles before me and as always these ceaseless voices that had enticed me down here. Although I was certain I was walking forth to my doom, I just no longer seemed to care. With each step I took in this dismal labyrinth, the whirlwind of voices got a little louder.
The voices were getting so intense now I very nearly needed to cover my suffering ears until I adjusted to the sheer volume of them. My flashlight was nearly spent. I had conserved all I could manage to in these last few stages of my journey into these darkened depths.
Unfortunately, I needed it now to progress as I had come to yet another dead end. I activated the switch and it laboriously lit. Through the faint illumination of the now dim bulb and the shadows cast from the cracked plastic lens, I was able to see a bricked up doorway. I noticed a small ventilation grill at floor level and I kicked at it and then beat it with a fallen brick until it finally came away. It was just then as the grating came free that my light source was completely exhausted and the batteries within, fully expired. I dropped it outside the airshaft and climbed inside the ductwork.
Feeling ahead slightly as I crawled, I continued on my way. I could hear rodents scurry away, I could hear an old creaky ventilation fan high above myself slowly thrashing about the foul air and as always I could hear the voices calling out to me. They were much clearer now but still haphazardly overlapping themselves and not as yet entirely discernable.
I found myself hopelessly lost in this black labyrinth. In my heart of hearts, I knew I would never again gaze upon the dawn. I had whole-heartedly forsaken the sun and the wonders of the daylight world for this my new world of the dark. It was all right, for soon I would join with the voices calling out to me. Soon I would share in what secrets they held. All I need do is answer the summoning of their calls. I’m not sure how long I have endeavored on this trek… weeks, days or hours, it was all fading to a blur in my minds eye.
As exhausted as I found myself at this moment, worming my way along within the ventilation shaft I was over come with the compulsion to continue forth. I followed the voices and I could tell I was getting very close now. I was nearing the end and I was almost able to make out the assorted voices relentless messages.
I hastened my pace; recklessly traversing through the dark like a child’s joy at first crawl, I became oblivious to any possible harm that may well befall me.
Without warning, the shaft suddenly gave way and split apart around me. I fell further and further into the immense darkness around me. I must have blacked out during the fall I have no recollection of any manner of landing.
Then as suddenly as I had fallen I became aware of my new surroundings. Sitting up I found that I was stark naked and confined within a small hot metal room. A small black candle was nearly melted entirely away. I looked about in my fever of confusion but there was no door, hatch or window. I picked up the candle remnants carefully but its hot wax naturally still managed to scald my hands. The flame was now flickering down low. I tried to find some trace of air, perhaps a seam in the metal walls where I must have somehow entered through.
However, I could not find any visible or conceivable exit. The air was now quite foul with the scent of my own perspiration and filth.
I heard voices all around me. Various people were banging on each side of my cube like prison. They were calling for help and asking if anyone was out there. Some of the voices sounded vaguely familiar most likely some trick of my mind. I decided it best not to answer. I had noticed that two of the voices were now gasping desperately and then faded out and the banging had suddenly ceased. I quickly blew out the candle to conserve the oxygen left around me. My heartbeat seemed as deafening as the shouting around me.
For the first time in my life, I knew a true fear of the dark. I realized the voices had not been calling out to me exactly. They were calling for help. Some poor souls were even calling out in warning… to turn back. I guess I had heard what I wanted to, sadly blind in my own vast darkness.
The banging and yelling on yet another side of my cube had ceased. I was suddenly over wroth with panic. I started to wildly bang and call out for help. My heart was racing and my calling out quickly metamorphosed into screams for aid. I was getting intensely tired and ready to pass into slumber. I realized the air had grown quite thin around me and it wouldn’t be long before the darkness completely claimed me as its own.
My mortal eyes began to tear… I now found that I now wanted a deliverance from this darkness. I was instilled with fear, horrifically terrified to die. I wanted to live… I screamed it aloud and unashamedly... "I want to live!"
Unfortunately for me, it would seem that this epiphany has come far too late. I dropped to my knees gasping for breath as the sweet morphia came over me, providing my only means of escape.