Distance

"Distance"

Violent shudders erupted through the shaft; scattering silent shivers
randomly through the air. An angry screech defied the quiet, the
tortured squeal of taut cable as it grinded reluctantly to a halt.
Inside the lift, a figure shuddered and lurched, he grasped helplessly
for the rail that ran centrally around the interior. His legs crumpled
beneath him and he slumped wearily to the floor. Matt lifted his head
uncertainly and flipped his eyelids open. His green eyes revealed
confusion and he gazed around randomly.
"What the??" His dry lips whispered.
A persistent groaning summoned from above and his eyes flicked in the
direction of the ceiling. He shakily rose to his feet, gripping the
walls for support. Thick brown strands of hair fell casually over his
eyes and slender fingers reached up to softly brush them away. Round
discs of light reflected from the ceiling.
"Oh my God!" Matt exclaimed in disbelief, his voice reverberating and
compounding his worst fears. He stumbled wildly for the elevator doors
and pounded them heavily with his inadequate fists. "Help!" He
screamed, realisation brightening in his eyes. "I'm trapped!" He cried
desperately, constricted by fear. He spun savagely, his gaze sweeping
the elevator. Dizziness encased him and he slammed back against one
lifeless wall. Cold metal enclosed him in chilling isolation. The doors
jammed tightly and inertia gripped the lift. An eerie silence
encompassed it and Matt took a cautious step forward, jewels of sweat
twinkling on his brow. He glared at the dial situated on the wall
beside the doors; his stare fell on one large white button. Emblazoned
above it in scarlet writing was the word "Emergency". He extended his
arm and clicked it.
The lift plunged into a puddle of darkness. Startled, Matt crouched to
the floor and shuffled helplessly along to a corner. He curled
protectively into a ball, the shadows smothering his breathing to
short, irregular gasps. Through the darkness, a chink of light
remained, a solid circular white light that kept him bathed in warmth.
He stared hungrily, closing his eyes, knowing that someone was coming
soon?

Darkness encircled the child as he crouched carefully in the corner.
Among the scraps of hay was the boy nestled, mumbling inaudibly.
Slithers of cold convulsed his body and he retreated further into his
solitary world of serenity. Through the blackness a disk of moonlight
shone brightly, the centre of his world. The caged child clung
faithfully to the light, knowing it signalled lost footsteps to his
prison?

The image dissolved from his conscience and Matt jerked upright, his
eyes wide in shock. He lifted his hands and precariously wiped the
perspiration from his forehead.
"Hello? Are you ok?" A deep voice echoed from outside.
Matt recoiled in fright, but managed to stammer. "Yes, I'm
fine."
"We're going to have you out in a minute. Just stay calm." The voice
continued.
"Ok." Matt replied nervously and embraced himself tightly, as the
mechanisms continued to groan in rebellion.

Shrouded in solitary darkness, a pale figure fingered his matted
scalp. Pale shafts of sunlight penetrated his gloomy tomb, highlighting
the soft wisps of hair, which sprouted randomly from his head.
Dismissing the dust cover, he scampered eagerly towards the forbidden
rays, lavishing among their warmth. His bare feet pounded the wooden
boards, sending dust and the rotten smell of chicken droppings
cascading through the air. Gingerly, he placed an emerald eye to the
chink?

The aromas of eggs seeped welcomingly through the floorboards and
stirred Matt from his restless slumber. Confusion wrinkled his face and
his heart drummed noisily within his chest. He raised his slender
fingers and raked them tentatively through his dark, coarse hair. The
room was bathed in the soft haze of a night-light and he eased himself
sleepily from the soft bedding, his feet sinking into the plush carpet.
His green eyes swung quickly to the clock placed on his bedside table.
He quickened his steps towards the wardrobe, pulling the door open
roughly. Seizing his clothing, he quickly dressed and tugged on his
shoes. He smoothed down his ragged hair and started to softly descend
the narrow stairs to the passage.
"Matt! Matt!" Karen screamed excitedly from behind the closed bathroom
door, her voice reverberating from the gleaming surfaces.
Matt jerked to a halt, suspended halfway down the stairs. "What is it
Karen?" He answered impatiently without turning around.
"You've got to see this." Karen enthused from within the small
bathroom.
"I haven't got time for this?" Matt added angrily, but started
reluctantly back up the stairs. Rage glowed from his eyes, silently
building with each cushioned step.
The bathroom door was flung open and Karen appeared. She padded
confidently onto the landing dressed only in her purple robe and
slippers; her light hair fell in soft, radiant waves around her
shoulders. She smiled angelically, waving a small white stick
delicately between her manicured fingers. Two horizontal blue lines
reflected from the small window. "I'm pregnant." She chorused.
"Pregnant?" Matt repeated, his fury defusing. He stepped up to face
Karen. "That's.." He shook his head slowly, clearing his
thoughts.
"Great!" Karen finished. "I'm so excited!" She squealed and threw her
arms around Matt, embracing him happily.
"Yeah, it is?" Matt withdrew from Karen, his features contorted in a
frown.
"Aren't you glad? What's wrong?" Karen asked, her eyebrows furrowing.
She tentatively stroked his arm.
"Yes, I, no?" He pulled away and pivoted slowly to face the wall. He
sighed heavily and reluctantly gazed back at Karen.
"You don't want this baby." Karen stated mechanically. "This baby is a
gift from God! We're blessed!" she cried, silent tears of realisation
forming in her eyes.
"No, it's these?" Matt pursed his lips.
"The flashbacks." Karen stated knowingly. "What about them?" She
sneered viciously, her eyes cold.
"I don't know, Karen, really?" Matt started despairingly and
approached Karen who was gradually retreating. "It's just a feeling, I
can't explain it.." He sighed, exasperated, gently wrapping his hands
around her wrists.
"Well, you'll have to try Matt. Tonight. At the counsellor's." Karen
sobbed and pulled out of his grasp. "Ever since you got trapped in that
lift you've been seeing things, having dreams, flashbacks?"
"But, Karen, I can't talk to, to a stranger, I mean?" Matt stammered
uncertainly.
"No 'buts' Matt, we're having a child. You need to sort your head out.
Find out why you're having these flashbacks and what they mean." She
turned away; fresh tears christened her eyes. She retreated to the sink
inside the bathroom. Sullenly, her shoulders hunched, she swivelled to
face Matt. "Your breakfast?" She stated unemotionally without meeting
his gaze.
"I don't want a cooked breakfast." Matt moved swiftly to grab his coat
and briefcase.
"I haven't cooked anything?I thought you.."
"But, I could smell?" He shook his head, confused. "Never mind, I'm
late anyway." He glanced at Karen, bewilderment etched on her face.
"Look, I'm sorry. We'll talk over dinner. Tonight. Promise." A smile
grazed his face as he rushed from the house, slamming the door behind
him.
"Sure." Karen whispered softly as she heard the car engine fade into
the distance, the tears falling gently into the soapy water.

"Well, this is just a thoroughly enjoyable evening." Matt commented
sarcastically and turned away from Karen.
"And whose fault's that?" Karen snapped and crossed her arms
angrily.
"Yeah, mine again, right?" Matt replied in defeat.
"You promised to take me to dinner." She replied sulkily and lowered
her eyes.
"And I said sorry?"
"I guess your promises don't mean anything anymore." Karen stated
solemnly, without looking at him.
"Karen! It was just?"
"Dinner, yeah, but another broken promise." Karen concluded
triumphantly. "What's going to happen when?" She smiled graciously at
another couple and calmed her voice "when the baby comes? You're hardly
reliable, are you?" She scoffed.
"Do we have to discuss this now?" Matt strained and cast a nervous
smile towards the other couples.
"Well, I think it?"
"Mr. and Mrs Williams?" The high voice sang. A broad shouldered woman
perched in the doorway and scanned the couples nervously gathered
within the room. Karen scrambled to her feet.
"Please follow me." She mouthed.
"Come on!" Karen urged Matt through clenched teeth. He stood awkwardly
and moved to follow Karen's graceful steps along the narrow corridor.
The walls were heavily adorned with light fixtures, each catapulting
rays and blending mercilessly like a ball sunshine.

A warm haze of love reflected in the child's envious eye. Cold
isolation wrapped around his heart as he faithfully awaited his one
thread of life. Kneeling timidly at the trapdoor, he shivered softly
and unsettled dark issues, clutching his stomach through this punishing
fast. His stomach growled resentfully and he retreated to his dark,
enclosed world, tears shimmering down his cheeks?

"What's wrong with your stomach?" Karen glared curiously.
"What..?" Matt quickly brushed his hand away from his stomach. "Er,
nothing.." He caught up to Karen, blood rushing to his cheeks.
"It's just in here." The secretary stopped in front of a large
entrance, knocked gently, then grabbed the handle and opened the door.
She gestured for them to pass her.
The murkiness of the room shocked Matt and his eyes adjusted to the
unexpected bleakness. The couple stood nervously together, shrouded in
the darkness that concealed their feelings. Matt glanced around
furtively.
The walls and carpet were a deep red; the back wall lined with
towering bookshelves, stacked with many volumes. In the corner a huge
oak desk sat, isolated. Behind it's grand structure was a small,
delicate silhouette, the dimness concealing her features. She sat
stiffly in her high-backed chair, dressed smartly in a dark suit. She
rotated to face the couple.

Enveloped within shades of grey, he nestled among the scraps scattered
randomly about the cold floor. He retreated tightly to his protective
cocoon of blackness. A tunnel of light erupted through the bleakness,
yet he lurked within the swollen shadows .A forgotten memory. Silently,
a silhouetted figure stepped up, a halo highlighting her slight frame.
A melodic voice dissolved the twilight?

"Please take a seat." Her voice was smooth; creating a harmony within
the room as she indicated the two cushioned chairs in front of the
desk. Karen stepped confidently to take a chair, as Matt hung back and
raised his fingers to his crinkled brow.
"What's with you?" Karen turned and glared impatiently.
"Nothing," he headed towards the seat and sat down uncomfortably. "I
feel like I'm on trial." He twisted his fingers nervously.
"Sssshh," Karen hushed and shot a fiery glance at Matt.
"It's okay." The woman assured, her face still shrouded in darkness.
"It's only natural to feel like that until I have fully explained the
aim of these sessions and my role in them." She explained kindly,
empathy flaming her eyes. "Now, I'm Catherine. I would prefer using
first names to reflect the informal nature of these meetings. If that's
alright, of course?"
"Yes, fine." Karen replied.
"Fine." Matt mirrored.
"Hopefully, we'll be able to sort out why you're having these
flashbacks Matt?" Her head tilted in Matt's direction. "They're
obviously affecting you and need to be dealt with." Catherine decided
resolutely. "There are individual and collective issues to be resolved,
however, arguments are not constructive within this environment." Her
voice adopted a serious tone.
"Well, I can cope with that." Karen chirped. "What do you think,
Matt?"
"Great," he replied sarcastically, firing Karen a resentful
look.
"Excellent. Let's begin shall we?" Catherine shifted her gaze to Matt,
who sat silently withdrawn. "Matt? Would you like to start?" She
coaxed.
"I don't know what to say." He admitted.
"That's normally not a problem." Karen quipped.
"Shut up Karen, what is the point of this?" Matt asked,
exasperated.
"Precisely. What is the point when you won't even try?" Karen yelled,
fresh tears sprinkling her eyes. She sprang o her feet and reeled
angrily to face him.
Catherine rose gracefully to her feet. "Karen, would you like to go
outside and calm down?" She asked politely.
Karen nodded and swept from the room, harshly slamming the door.
A thoughtful silence fell and Catherine resumed her seat behind the
enormous desk. Matt shuffled uncomfortably and desperately avoided
Catherine's penetrating gaze.
"Shall I go and see if Karen is..?" Matt rushed childishly.
"That won't be necessary. I think we should let her calm down first,
don't you?" Her voice commanded from the swollen shadows that submerged
the room.
"Er, fine." He answered uneasily.
"I thought we'd begin by discussing these dreams you're having."
Catherine recommended, placing her arms neatly on the desk in front of
her.
"They're like flashbacks, they're so real, but they can't be. I get
them all the time. It's hard to explain?" Matt's voice trailed off and
he shook his head unknowingly.
"When did you start having these? images?" Catherine whispered.
Matt tilted his head. "It was when I got trapped in the lift at work.
I'm slightly claustrophobic, afraid of the dark, you know, kid's stuff
I suppose?" An embarrassed smirk crossed his face. "The lift just
stopped and I panicked, but then I noticed an emergency button. I
pressed it and everything went dark and then there was this white light
and then?" Matt faltered weakly.
"Then you saw something?" Catherine asked curiously.
"Yes?" He choked.
"Describe exactly what you saw." Catherine supported in her syrupy
utterance.
"It's hard to describe.." Matt explained meekly and stared into the
inky well of shadows for reassurance.
"Do the best you can." The darkness responded numbly.
He gulped nervously. "There was a boy in the dark." He closed hi eyes.
"The moon, the boy was staring at it through a window. He had scraps of
food and? chickens?someone came?"
"Who came?" Catherine interrupted and leant forward anxiously.
"A young woman, to help him," Suddenly hot, he reached up and
unbuttoned his collar. "I'm sorry, I'm making no sense?"
"You're doing fine. I understand completely." Catherine reassured
eagerly.
"Could you turn on another light please?" He shuddered and gripped his
arms protectively. "I hate the dark."
"Why yes." She leant over the desk to switch on a lamp. The room was
swamped in a overpowering glow.
Matt's eyes jammed shut and he bowed his head away from the light. "I
don't know why I'm seeing these images, I just? what do you think?" He
lifted his gaze to face Catherine, whose features were harshly
illuminated, her warm blue eyes were glazed and she stared blankly at
him, sympathy burning within her?

An apparition arose to thaw the icy breath of isolation. The boy
shivered and shook, nervously twitching among the straw. His rosy lips
trembled and he gazed dumbly as the woman took conscious steps towards
him. Cautiously, an arm reached out to touch his slender rags. The boy
moaned in response and cradled his emaciated frame. "Don't be afraid
Matt?" The melodic voice hummed. "I'm Catherine, I'm going to help
you?" Her smooth voice cracked, her deep blue eyes pierced with tears,
twinkling like stars.