"HOW DARE YOU?!" a voice rumbling with rage came from both far away and very close.
Instantly, I was gripped by existential terror. This fear was incomparable, as if I were an ant, and a giant foot was slowly but inexorably descending on my chitinous shell. I was absolutely powerless. There was no point in resisting or running. I was finished, and I was finished.
I completely resigned myself to my fate and froze in place, but a spark of defiance, born of primitive survival instincts, forced me to move in a last attempt to escape.
"Survive, I have to survive!" - without hesitation, I obeyed a natural impulse and rushed to run without looking back. Unfortunately, my desperate attempt was doomed to failure.
BOOM.
"Aaaaaaa!" a scream escaped my throat as I felt something huge and inexorable crashing down on me.
That blow tore my soul apart. Thoughts and feelings completely disappeared, replaced by unbearable pain. This pain pierced every cell of my being. This pain was much worse than in the depths of hell, from which I tried so hard to get out.
All that was left of me was a tiny thread of consciousness that drifted off into the endless void. This thread read "escape" and was supported by my primal fear and desire to survive.
Unable to distinguish anything around me, I found myself caught up in a kaleidoscope of glowing dots. Instinctively, I reached for the brightest light and was blinded by the flash.
"I... I... I am..." is the only coherent thought I could formulate.
My body is trapped on all sides. I am surrounded only by thick and impenetrable darkness, and an unknown viscous substance impedes my movements. The last thought completely disappeared, leaving only the ability to feel — to feel an explosive mixture of panic and lingering fear.
Time passed painfully slowly. I was hoping that something would change. Maybe there will be light again, at least a small glimmer, but in vain. Darkness and pressure were all I felt.
Suddenly, I felt the touch of something warm and soothing. The attempt to turn around turned out to be futile — the body did not obey. Although the contact was brief and gentle, everything inside me curled up with chilling horror.
I was already on edge, surrounded by impenetrable darkness, and now some kind of warm slime was touching me. To call my condition alarming would be a blatant understatement.
It was like being trapped. The pressure was building, getting stronger by the second, and the strange touches were becoming more frequent.
After an indefinite amount of time, I mustered up the courage to move. To my amazement, I actually succeeded this time. Who knew that this would turn out to be a glaring mistake?
As if in response to my careless actions, I heard mysterious sounds from afar. Again...
Scary. Really scary...
Suddenly, I was seized by a strong tremor. A desperate, painful scream cut through the distant silence. The familiar feeling of warmth and humidity disappeared in an instant, replaced by suffocation. The situation required decisive action.
"Escape"–my last rational will has reawakened.
Summoning the last of my strength, I turned around and saw a light— faint, barely discernible, almost illusory, but at the same time so desirable. I resolutely rushed forward. The space around me pulsed, contracting and unclenching, as if pushing me.
The muffled screams grew louder, gradually taking shape, but I ignored them.
"Pooh!"
Finally, I felt myself breaking free. Brightly. God, it's so bright! So much so that it even hurts. Instinctively, I wanted to cry, but I didn't have the strength.
Suddenly, I felt something warm, soft, and completely fluffy envelop me. It felt like I was floating in the clouds. This feeling was so pleasant that I wanted to prolong it at all costs.
Following my instinct, I tried to open my eyes. My eyelids felt stuck together and incredibly heavy. But what is this amazing feeling of peace? I have to see.
I saw a picture that confirmed a bold hypothesis: I went to heaven.
A beautiful woman in her thirties looked at me with her sky-blue eyes, as if trying to capture the image of a loved one in her memory.
She was incredibly beautiful. I've never seen anyone so perfect before. Although I couldn't remember any other women, I felt deja vu, as if I had seen them before. With that came the certainty that no one could compete with this woman.
Her face is like a masterpiece created by nature itself. The silky silver-white hair seemed like a heavenly gift, more precious than any treasure. And for a smile on her plump lips, a righteous man would be ready to renounce all vows and commit follies.
And that smile was meant for me alone. So gentle and happy. So loving and sincere. I wanted to lose myself in her completely.
In an ecstatic state, a new thought formed in my head that I wanted to express, but something between a moan and a cry came out of my naughty mouth:
- "Maaaaaaa..."
The beautiful woman gave me an even brighter smile and gently hugged me to her. Her plump lips covered me, sealing a kiss of such a weightless caress that my whole being dissolved into bliss.
I closed my eyes, completely surrendering to the comfort.
Suddenly, I heard her melodious, bell-like voice, which brought me out of my trance.:
"Fufufu, did Mommy put another angel of hers to sleep? But you have to eat first. Don't you want to grow up healthy and beautiful like your big sister?"
Confused, I opened my eyes again and stared at her uncomprehendingly.
Mistaking my gaze for agreement, the woman lowered me a little lower. I had a fascinating view of a large pale pink hill topped with a charming pink altar.
Guided by my instincts, I tried to reach out my hands to the captivating object, wanting to take possession of it. However, his hands turned out to be disobedient and heavy.
The kind woman understood my predicament and with a casual movement she brought the sacred altar directly to my thirsty mouth.
"Well, well, dear," she said with a gentle smile, —you must be really hungry. Look how big you are compared to your older sister. You need to eat right to stay that way."
Savoring the warm, sweet liquid in my mouth, out of the corner of my eye I noticed another priest, of the same diminutive size. This tiny competitor, apparently, also decided to join the cult.
Overcome by righteous anger and driven by a primal instinct to defend territory, I tried to commit an act of retribution, namely, to deliver a crushing kick to the brazen invader.
Alas, the treacherous space separating us proved to be an insurmountable obstacle to my sacred anger.
"How possessive you are. Fufufu... Don't worry, honey, your big sister won't take your milk. This lady will make sure to be impartial," the beautiful woman's melodious voice sounded again.
Although the meaning of the words eluded me, I nevertheless heeded the comforting tone of prayer and continued to drink, no longer paying attention to my "competitor."
My mood was improving with every passing moment. The heavenly truth was revealed to me: a gentle woman is my mother, and next to me is a little sister.
It was as if this realization was the last straw for my tired mind. Before I fell asleep, I heard the soothing voice again.:
"Welcome to the world, my little ones"