fff #56

thanks to some not so technical achievements i was able to trick my computer into letting me online long enough to fff this week. luckily, no one was harmed in the battle between man and technology that made this possible. another great starter this week from the purgatorian: the air was redolent with... i hope you enjoy it.

the air was redolent with a strong stink that stung the nostrils the way a habanero pepper or a stiff bourbon might. the pungent smell yielded an instant headache that produced a hard throbbing with each exhale of the odorous irritant. with the moisture suddenly gone from my eyes, i feel as though they catch fire and squint for some relief. i can barely see through my dried, frosted lenses and know a prompt exit from this toxic aroma is essential. the scent pounds my head harder and with greater potency as the room begins to spin like i had indulged in too many carnival rides. losing my balance, i drop to my knees, reminiscent of a grade school fire drill, and crawl across the hard stone toward the door. gagging on the thick musky air as it hits the back of my throat, i cough in a panic, hearing it echo off the walls as everything fades to black and my chest meets the floor. not wanting to die kissing the cold tile, i reach up in a final moment of desperation, grabbing the door handle. using all of my weight to throw it open, i collapse into a pillow of fresh air on the other side and breathe easy. still weak, i struggle to pull my torso up against the wall just outside the room. allowing my sight to slowly come back into focus i stare up at the entrance of the room that nearly killed me and read the sign: women. never again.