Shelley's family's apartment - This Morning - about 20 minutes ago
SpoilerToday, Shelley feels like she can take on anything.
She had just emerged from what must have been the best rest she had had in about a year and a half. She had opened the blinds and met the bright purple sun-drenched world with wide-open eyes. She had actually beaten her mother to the shower and turned the water up to full blast.
Shelley couldn't remember the last time she had actually showered. The sound of the water rushing through pipes and crashing against porcelain was ear-splitting. Today was no different... well, except it was different. She could still hear every single little rattling droplet. But, for some reason or another, this time she was determined not to let it get to her.
She stands next to the refrigerator, staring into a cup of chocolate mousse, spoon in hand. Last year her parents had made an enormous, cake-sized bowl of the stuff for her birthday, but it was simply impossible for her to eat any meaningful portion of it. Every so often she would return to the fridge for another attempt, but to no avail. Her taste buds remain every bit as messed up as the rest of her. But today? Today she feels lucky.
She scoops up a glob of delicious goo and slips it in her mouth.
...
SpoilerBLUH!!! Still too rich!
...and everyone wonders why she got so thin just from laying around at home all day. After removing the evidence of this little piece of breakfast theater, Shelley sits down to her usual meal of unseasoned potatoes and water as she considers the events of the previous night.
The Subway - Last Night - about 11 hours ago
SpoilerShelley was out of her seat, cringing, covering her already muffed ears. Tears streamed down her face as she alternately cried and gasped for breath.
Everyone else could hear it too, sort of. A rumble echoed through the tunnels as the arcade above and ahead of the train began to collapse on itself. Of course, it still had nothing on the girl that had suddenly gone insane and started freaking out right in front of them.
She could hear everything - the creaking girders, the shattering glass, the bloodcurdling screams of the innocent bystanders. It was too much. It was like he was right there, except she was powerless to either help, or escape, or even tell what was going on over all of the settling debris. It only became worse as the train approached the site.
But then, suddenly, an unnaturally clear shout rang out and pierced through the panic and the screams, in no language in particular.SpoilerQuote:
Originally Posted by Jane
Throughout the train passengers halted their conversations, dropped their pencils, discontinued their snogging, and ceased their impromptu breakdancing competitions. Several had interpreted the command differently and pulled the emergency brake, causing the train to squeal and decelerate rapidly.
Shelley didn't notice. The voice was so clear, familiar even, that even the brakes and the engine seemed to quiet down to listen. Everything was suddenly calm again, for the first time in... in...
As the subway train screeched to a halt, Shelley collapsed onto the floor, fast asleep.