𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲 𝐌𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 ✧ (𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐝) [on hold]

✧ Chapter 6 : The White Mask ✧

Here I was, yet again. I wasn't really surprised anymore - it didn't make me less anxious though. The surroundings were still so oppressing.

And here he was again. The cloaked man with the white mask.

"I know who you are." I called out. "The words you spoke, 'you betrayed me'... These are his words. I know who you are now. No need to hide."

The cloaked man turned around and I saw the familiar white mask look at me with a perfectly stoic expression.

"All masks off, please. I want to see your face." I pleaded, stepping forward so I was facing him.

"Why would I take my mask off if you are wearing one yourself?" the cloaked man asked, his voice echoing around as usual.

I reached out for the mask and my fingertips met the surface. "I'm not..."

Once again, the mask's mouth curled up into a smile. That took me aback, but I thought that wasn't the weirdest thing about this dream. I was starting to believe these weren't dreams at all - they felt too real to be.

Like in my previous 'visit', I focused on grabbing the edge of the mask. And I took it off. What I saw shouldn't have surprised me so much. I recognized the familiar dark hair, the pale skin, the haunting hazel eyes.

Before me was standing Frank Iero.

But the Frank I was facing was... different. First, he didn't have his nose ring or his lip ring. The haircut was the same, but he didn't have the same aura . No, this Frank seemed more soothed.

Frank took my hands in his own. Normally, such a gesture from my bully would have startled me and made me back off, but there was something gentle about the way he did it that appeased me slightly.

Frank's lips curled into a little smile. Not a sneer I was used to seeing, but a smile that displayed a kindness I had never seen on his face, ever.

"Do you remember now?" he asked softly, furling gingerly his fingers around both my hands.

I frowned. "What is it that I have to remember?"

Frank let out a little, slightly disappointed sigh. "Oh, then you don't. It's okay, you need time."

"I- I don't understand. Please, I need an explanation. A clue, a lead, something ! Please, I'm lost."

Frank put a hand on my cheek. "Don't worry. The explanations will come soon enough. Then everything will be much clearer."

Frank's eyes caught all my attention when he stopped talking and peered at me intently. He cupped my face with all the gentleness in the world and pressed his lips on mine incredibly tenderly. I didn't pull back. I closed my eyes and let him.

After a few electric seconds, Frank pulled back and smiled kindly. "It's time to wake up now."

My heart bounced in my chest in a very unpleasant way. I clutched his arm still clad in the wide cloak as if that could keep me anchored in my dream. "No wait, I want to stay. I need an explanation ! Frank, I need to stay !"

Frank shook his head. "I'm sorry, but you have to wake up. It's not up to me."

My eyes opened and I gasped softly. What the hell just happened?!

I was so confused; the cloaked man was apparently Frank Iero, and I had no idea of why things ended up turning the way they did.

Besides, what did I ever do to hurt Frank? Was Dream Frank referring to reality? I thought he did, what else could he be talking about? But the first time I saw Frank in real life was a few weeks ago, when I went back to school.