Elfrea
After the third time waking up with a horrible pounding in my head and my throat feeling like I had just eaten a handful of sand, I realized I might never die. All I wanted was to finally pass so I wouldn't keep waking up with a start and finding myself still in the coffin. With each time I awoke, I found that I didn't breathe anymore, even if all the air was out of the coffin, I no longer needed it. Tears no longer fell from my eyes, and I felt no more sadness, just pure rage.
It was an endless routine of waking suddenly, fighting with the constant thumping in my head, then trying to go back to a slumber. Dreams were my only escape from my waking horror. In them, Maria and I ran far away from my brother and away from the social statuses; we were happily together. We lived in a cabin big enough for both of us, and we sold Maria's paintings in the small village we lived near.
I hoped deep down that one day I would be released from this prison and finally live. The thought also scared me, with not knowing how many days had passed by, that I would eventually turn to dust. Death, at least, was another way to be released, but I knew it wouldn't come.
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After sometime, or more, had passed by I began to notice the sounds outside my coffin. I noticed the movement of small creatures skittering around, but never did I hear them touch or get on the coffin. My hearing seems to be getting much stronger; I could also see perfectly in the darkness of the coffin.
I would be asleep, and then a sound above me would bring me out of my slumber. It was the floorboards above the basement; someone or something was in the manor. Though each time the movement would soon disappear, and I would be alone with only my thoughts.
"Please help me," I would whisper or even yell when I heard something and bang on the coffin. No one ever came down the basement stairs where I lay.
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I knew after the second time that I had awoken my powers were all gone, so I stopped trying to use them. I would still, at times, place my thinning hand on the coffin while I closed my eyes and pushed out whatever energy I could to call out. This was a hopeless act to try and soothe myself that help was still out there. That by doing this, I could pull them down to me and open my cage and set myself free. Though what would I do if I were set free?
I start to stir to the sounds of thunder rolling and rain hitting the manor's roof. My hearing had grown even stronger over the many years, and I was able to listen in to any noises moving around the manor. I only expected it had been many years due to how my nightgown had mostly fallen apart from my body. I only ever saw my hands when I placed them on the lid, and they were now bloodless skin stretched tight over bones. I was scared to touch my face and find it the same. No more blood ran in my body like it had been absorbed into my bones themselves.
I go back to close my eyes and let the storm carry me back into a lumber, but I then hear footsteps above. I open my eyes and focus on the steps, walking into the manor and to each room like they were searching. It was strange, I could feel a strong, magical pull, something I hadn't felt before. I started to get excited after such a long time; I had a new development. The last time I had felt this way was when I noticed my hearing getting stronger.
I placed my thin, bony hand to the lid of the coffin and pushed out with all I had. Hoping that I was doing something, and to bring whoever it was to the basement. I listened as the footsteps moved down the hall and stopped; it had to be the door to the basement; I could feel it. I put any energy I had into sending out something to get them to just open the door and set me free. I suddenly started to feel drained, and my eyes shut on their own; my body felt heavy.
I want to cry as I hear the footsteps walk away, but they never leave the manor. I was so close, I had felt it, and I would wake to bring them back before they left. Sleep pulls me under, and I go back to sleep, but this time I dream of the person walking down the basement stairs and opening the lid of the coffin. I smile for the first time in many years since I was first trapped.