The Parting

8:34

The little blue LED's of the clock showed the time.

8:34

Is that AM or PM?

8:34

A clock.

It is not my clock.

This is not my room.

To cold and damp.

And dark except for the glow.

From the clock.

My head hurts.

Really hurts.

Where am I?

My eyes adjust to the blue gloom.

Not much to see.

Bare floor.

Blank walls.

Single door in front of me.

No light escaping past the door.

Feet tied to the front legs of the chair.

Hands tied behind my back.

To the chair back as well.

My head hurts.

I'm tired.

8:34

How long have I been out?

8:34

My eyes adjust quickly now.

My head feels better.

I sweep the room with my eyes.

Blue gloom is all there is.

O!

A plate of food.

On a table right in front of me.

Close enough to lean over to eat.

With just my mouth.

Tiring. Rest.

8:34

Shake my head to release the cobwebs.

8:34

How is it the clock only shows 8:34?

I sweep the room again.

Table gone.

No food.

Try to see behind me.

Strain and strain.

Tiring.

8:34

Not again.

What day is it?

Who am I?

I sweep the room.

Table.

Food almost all eaten.

How?

I sweep my tongue across my lips.

Crumbs.

What is that?

A roach.

On the plate.

On the table.

The bug moves.

It jumps off the table.

It scurries across the floor.

To the door.

It squeezes under the door.

The cockroach is gone.

8:34

Why?