That sound was seriously annoying, but at the same time seemed somewhat important. My head continued to pound at my temples, and I pried my eyes open long enough to reestablish that I was on the floor of my closet, lying amongst a pile of crayons with the edge of my laptop up against my nose.
Meow! Meow! Meow!
The laptop was flashing.
BeautifulSkye18 is online.
Rumple!
I moved my hand from my side and touched the keyboard. I tapped the square at the bottom twice and a little window appeared. My eyes started to close again, and my head felt heavy even though I was still lying on the floor.
I had to stay awake.
NeedMyRumple: need u
My fingers kind of locked up on me, and I could taste bile in my throat. I swallowed.
BeautifulSkye18: oh Thomas—I need you too! Dad is trying to work something out. He said it could take a day or two, though.
Ugh. I shook my head and took a deep breath.
NeedMyRumple: now pls
BeautifulSkye18: I want to—I do, but your dad won’t let me in the door!
My fingers shook as I tried to tap on the keyboard.
NeedMyRumple: hes ded
BeautifulSkye18: what?
NeedMyRumple: cooime now pleadse
BeautifulSkye18: Thomas—what do you mean?
Thomas?
Thomas! Answer me! What do you mean? Dead? Is your dad dead???
THOMAS!!!
I’m coming, baby—hang on. Dad too. We’ll be there ASAP
I could still see the screen, but it looked blurry, and my fingers were no longer functioning. I closed my eyes and was encompassed by darkness.
I could hear someone calling my name, but it was like hearing something while you’re under water. I tried opening my eyes, but they just didn’t want to cooperate. Slowly, the sounds seemed to get closer, and then I could actually make out the words.
“Thomas? Thomas? Oh my God…Dad!! He’s up here!!”
Footsteps…someone’s hand on my arm. My arm jerked a little…reflexive…involuntary. More words—muffled and distant—then another voice nearby.
“Thomas? Can you hear me, baby?”
That sound…that voice. I knew that voice.
“Rumple…”
“It’s me, Thomas.”