What Did I Say?

I awake, but I'm blind and can't move. No, it's worse. I can't feel my body. I concentrate as hard as I can but I can't open my eyes; I can't make a sound. Where am I? What is happening? Wait, I can hear a sound, but I can't tell what it is. It seems to be coming from my right. It's a scraping sound. Then I can hear the muttering. Is it a man or a woman? I can't tell.

I remember walking through the parking lot of a restaurant after having a girl's night with some friends, but I don't remember getting into my car or leaving. I had parked in the back, since it was a Saturday night, and the restaurant was crowded. My friends had arrived earlier, and they had parked in the front. I had assured them that I would be fine, and I walked away. That was all I could remember.

"Don't worry. You want this. I heard you tell them that you wanted to be able to do this. You won't feel a thing. I need what I can get from you, so I will be doing us both a favor. You'll be fine. I promise."

The muttering had grown clearer and closer, but I didn't understand. What was he talking about? Yes, it was a he. What was happening? What had I told who? What did he think I wanted that would have me paralyzed and blind and helpless?

I tried to concentrate on the muttering, but it was not always distinct. I wanted to move, so much. I have never wanted anything so much as I wanted to move. He sounded as if he was around my midsection, but I could not be sure what he was doing. I could feel nothing.

"You will be thankful for this. I am careful. Everything is sterile, and I can stitch like no other. We will both benefit. You'll see."

What was happening? I was desperate to know, but I was also afraid to know. Sterile? Stitches? What had I said that I wanted? I could hear strange wet sounds. I could also hear a machine running, now. It sounded like a vacuum cleaner. What the...?

It seemed like days before the machine was stopped. After that, I could hear him muttering again.

"Good, good. Not much blood lost. Everything is nice and smooth. Now, for the stitches."

Another eternity passed. Finally, I heard the sound of buttons being pushed. Then I hear an agitated voice saying, "I hear screaming in the warehouse on River Street. The one that used to have the furniture factory. Hurry! It sounds really bad!"

Then there is the sound of the phone being set down, and keys are jangled. I hear the door shut. I want to yell, "Wait!" I still can't make a sound. What happened? What had I wanted? What had he done?

Help me!