"Drink this." says the voice above my head. Shivers pass through my body, inside the cloaks they've wrapped me in I twist and retch coughing up the broth they gave me earlier onto the grass. Arms grip me, can't see them. Breathe. Breathe. Pain. NO. Knife twists like fire I try to scream but I can't all that comes out is soft air and black tears charring my face please LET ME GO I can't do this want to die but can't.
"Turn him over." my supporter murmurs, more hands grip the cocoon I lie in and prop me against something soft. Arms support my head and gently open my mouth GET AWAY FROM ME try to fight out but body's trapped by blankets so cold I shake as wind rattles leaves overhead. I am a leaf tossed by currents above my control. Soft voices whisper leaving bright marks in the grey of my world as I fight to resist the pull of sweet sleep even though it's all I want in the world, why can't I have it NO you're wrong don't give in to the dark but why not?
Mouth finally opens on its own now I can barely control my body I've already lost every other impulse perhaps infancy is like this or not I don't know don't care don't feel anymore. Hot drink down my throat like liquid fire bringing life death rebirth all in one, huge hand on my forehead again strokes the skin gently. "He's still cold." says the voice but I already knew that, if I could talk I'd have said how icy my heart turns with every second but lips are sealed shut as if frozen.
"Hold on." says another voice, a known familiar sound slicing through the ebony and apathy leaving semblances of clarity just be quiet, please, let me sleep, let me pass on...
NO.
I have to fight it.