Delirium Worldbuilding: Water

Rain pattered on the small square window of the basement. He watched the drops race each down the pane as the sound of family night drifted down from upstairs. He wanted to stand in it, to take off his masks and let it wash him clean. But he couldn’t. Someone would see, and that was always the problem. He shifted his position on the concrete floor a little. His fingers tapped out a rhythm on his knee.

More laughter from above. His fists clenched as he suddenly felt the need to do something. He cracked open the window, leaning into the rush of cool spring air. It wasn’t enough. He looked around the dank basement, as if anything besides ghosts could have arrived while he was watching. Then, he hesitantly lifted off the mask of porcelain that covered his disfigured face.

A few raindrops found their way inside, and he stuck out his hand to catch more. The sensation of water trickling its way along the irritated red folds of his skin caused him to shiver. It was pleasant, though. He sighed and closed his eyes, a few drops of salt water joining their brethren from the sky.