Strings

-Masayuki-

I turned around. “Natalia?” Her voice sounded so muffled as she shouted at me. I felt a strange vibration in my chest. I put my hand over my chest.

“I’m here,” I said. White noise made my ears sting. How was it possible that I was able to feel all of this? Suddenly, I noticed Natalia shouting at me again.

“What?” I asked. I turned my head in the empty space. Something about strings floated into my ear.

“What did you say?” I asked.

“Get off the strings!” Natalia shouted in my head. I about fell because her voice came through so clearly.

“The strings?” I asked.

“Yes!” she shouted. I looked done at my feet. Sure enough, I was standing on many strings. Whoa! Where did these strings come from? I made myself float upwards.

“Careful!” Natalia shouted. I looked up at the pink ceiling. (I think it was the ceiling.)

“What is all of this?” I asked.

“I don’t really know, but I am guessing that you are in a space where you are seeing the souls of all of them,” she said.

“Say what?” I asked.

“I don’t have time to explain right now, but you are way off course,” she said. “Get out of there or you will be stuck there forever.” I looked around.

“But I don’t know where I am,” I said. “Can you help me out?” There was a pause. I tilted my head to the side.

“Hello?” I asked. I heard her nervously laugh.

“Natalia?” I asked.

“I don’t really know where you are,” she admitted. My face dropped.

“Are you serious?” I asked.

“Look, I will help you get out of there,” Natalia said. “Just trust me on this.” I resisted the urge to say that I didn’t believe her. I wouldn’t get the chance anyway. I felt a hard pulsing feeling in my chest. I felt like I was choking.

“Masayuki? Are you already? Speak to me!” Natalia screamed.

“Can’t… breathe…” I forced out. Her voice came in and out in waves.

“Hang in there,” Natalia said. “Listen me. Just take a breath! Take a breath and let your body float upwards.” I think that’s what she said. I closed my eyes and took a slow breath. I felt myself beginning to float upwards. It’s working. It’s really working! I started to feel better already. The pain started to disappear from my chest. I could breathe again. I could see the strings below me so clearly. They all seemed to disappear into the darkness as I floated further up. I had to admit that it looked rather amazing. Maybe things won’t be so bad. Maybe I could out of here just…

“Masayuki, look out!” Natalia screamed in my head.

“Huh?” I asked.

Zap!