He says"Hi."

17

"So you're saying you've been seeing dad?" Marcus asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. I had known that telling my brother and best friend would be difficult. And to be honest I didn't expect them to take me seriously.

"For how long?" Daniel asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

"Not that long, a few days maybe," I replied, feeling a lump form in my throat.

"And why didn't you tell us this before?" Marcus asked, his tone almost accusatory.

I took a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts.

"I was afraid you'd think I was crazy," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Plus, until recently, I'd only been seeing him in my dreams. This is the first time I actually saw him."

Daniel and Marcus exchanged a look, and then Daniel put a hand on my shoulder.

"We don't think you're crazy," he said.

I felt a surge of gratitude towards my best friend.

"I don't know what's going on," I said, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes.

"All I know is that everything's felt so real."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.

"I started seeing dad in my dreams," I began, her voice barely above a whisper.

"At first, I heard voices, they kept calling my name over and over. That was the time you found me on the floor."

I turned to Marcus.

Then over time, I saw glimpses of him, he was covered in shadows. I even heard his voice, all he did was say my name too..."

I looked at both Dan and Marc, they were hanging on every word. Marcus took my hand and gave me the go ahead.

"I-uh saw him clearly in one of my dreams. I was having a panic attack and he comforted me."

"Did he say anything at all?" Marcus asked, his eyes wide with wonder.

I nodded.

"He held my cheek and told me to lift my head up."

I held my face in my palms. In a matter of moments, my face burned and hands started feeling warm and wet. As soon as he realised, Marcus squeezed my hand a little tighter. Daniel then placed his hand on my shoulder in an attempt to calm me down.

"I thought... Sniff I thought it was just my mind playing tricks on me. Until I saw him at breakfast today."

"What could all of this mean?" Marcus asked.

Daniel and Marcus looked at each other, and then back at me.

"Do you think it's a sign?" Daniel asked.

I shrugged.

"I don't know. Maybe it's just my mind trying to cope with his death. Or maybe I've gone insane and I was stupid enough to rope you two into my delusions."

Scoff

"Damn it..." I said, rubbing my temples.

"Hey, come on. Don't you think there's something more to it?" Marcus asked.

I plopped my head on Marc's shoulder. I couldn't answer. I shrugged my shoulders indicating that I didn't know.

***