Fading Away

Chapter Eight

This part might seem a little confusing but... Dream is having a psychotic break, so stick around for some fun ;) Comment/vote. Also... no promises regarding happy endings.

 A dream cannot die. A dream can be passed on and live beyond a single person. A dream can spread like a virus through a whole world. A dream is a doorway to leave your bed without moving a muscle, to explore possibilities and impossibilities. A dream can linger, a dream can fade, but a dream doesn't disappear.

Eternity is vague. How long does it really last? Is it forever? How can one tell if something is meant to last for their own eternity? Its possible that eternity is not meant to be. But if it is a dream it shall not die. Eternity is thus immortal and lasts forever.

Hope is a flame that illuminates the darkest of nights, that wards off the most powerful nightmares. Whether it bestows itself on a single soul or the whole of a world, it makes a difference. Hopes and dreams walk hand in hand and work tirelessly to last for an eternity.

Wonders are all around us. We can view the most simple of things as a wonder. From a singular blade of grass to a whole world, it all depends on how you look at things. If your heart is full of hope you'll see wonders around you. Wondering can make one dream. Dreams and hope last for eternity. Wonders are eternal.

Secrets can be buried in one's grave. Once a secret is buried it can take an eternity to dig up, and thus can never be dug up, unless you have been chosen and cursed to do so. Her secrets killed her dreams, replacing them with nightmares. Her secrets smothered her hope, blinded her to wonders. A secret when shared is half as heavy.

We are intertwined in twisted, marvelous, glorious ways. But I am in darkness, and my thoughts are muddled as they race and dance around in minds that are not my own.

I need to find Harper.

Harper.

Harper.

Eternity is lost. Eternity mourns my loss. Eternity loves me, and will love me even if I stay faded. I can come back. The light hurts so much. Here I can soar, wander, be alone.

All alone.

I need to find Harper.

I find Harper. Her head is dark. Why is her head so dark? Where is the happiness that used to shed light in her thoughts?

Something's wrong. I can't help when I'm like this. I am too faded to make a difference. I can do nothing but observe their dreams, cower in their nightmares.

It's time to go home.

It's time to find Harper.

I feel a bed beneath my body. I feel the room around me. I feel minds in the other room.

My eyes fly open and I draw in a huge breath as my the sensation of an electric shock runs through my limbs. Reality is taking time to register. Time is taking even longer. My muscles have been still for a long time. How long? How long has it been since I've seen what's been right in front of me?

"Harper," I whisper. My voice is hoarse.

I hear footsteps coming towards me. Someone stands in the doorway. I haven't the strength to life my head and see who stands here. They speak, "you're awake at last." It's Wonders. He sounds exhausted.

I swallow. My throat is parched.

"I'll get you water." He leaves.

I move my arm, slow and shaky, to brush my long hair out of my face. I need to bathe.

"Dream!" Eternity's voice now comes from the doorway, full of love and agony. He rushes towards me and looks down at me with eyes full of compassion.

"Secrets kill dreams," I mumble under my breath. "Dreams don't last for eternity."

"What did you say? I can't here you," he says.

I frown. "I'm not sure what I said." I cough.

Wonders comes in with a glass of water. Together they help me sit up and bring the glass to my lips. The water feels so cool and refreshing, helping my mind feel more alert and less muddled and lost in chaos.

"How are you feeling?" Wonders asks.

"I'm... not sure," I say. I woke up for a reason. What was the reason? Oh, yes, of course. Harper. I need to find her.

"I'll get you something to eat," Eternity says anxiously. He leaves the room hesitantly.

"What happened, Dream?" Wonders asks me quietly. "Secrets... is getting better, but she was in pretty rough shape. Thank you for saving her. But what happened to you?"

"I'm really not sure. I think when I woke her up I stayed in the dream. Since her dreams ended I was in between dreams." I close my eyes, trying to remember. "I watched dreams and nightmares but wasn't involved because I was in between the dreams."

"How bizarre," he mutters. Then, "we're all very glad to have you back. Losing you would be a huge blow to us all."

"Thanks," I murmur.

Eternity returns with a plate of food, Wonders leaves the room, and Eternity sits beside me on the bed as I eat.

"I was so scared for you," he says after a few moments.

"I'm sorry."

"What happened?" he asks me.

"I was stuck between dreams. Like a hallway between all the dreams in the world, and I couldn't enter or exit."

"How did you wake up, then?"

"I... chose to."

He frowns. "What?"

"I have to go," I mumble suddenly, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.

"Whoa! You can't go anywhere! You're not well."

"I have to find Harper!" I cry, tears welling up in my eyes. "It wasn't Secrets. It was Harper. I have to save her."

Eternity is shocked. "Dream, you're not making sense. You've been asleep for months-"

"Months?" I repeat, whipping my head around and looking at him. "Seriously?"

He nods, looking sad. "We were getting really worried..."

I feel torn. But then I remember- Harper... Secrets keep dreams from lasting an eternity- where did that thought come from? I can't remember. Those thoughts of our purposes intertwining are fading. The only line that keeps running through my head is that- Secrets keep dreams from lasting an eternity. The things I've been through will not allow me to live as I have been, carefree and happy. The world is not filled with happiness. We are not complete.

I stand up.

"Dream!" he shouts, but his voice sounds distant.

I turn to him. "You don't need me as much as she does. Trust me."

"I can't trust you because you're not in your right mind!" he cries. "Please, stay. Finish eating!"

"I don't belong..." I breathe, walking out of the room. I'm almost out the door when someone steps in front of me and blocks my way.

"What are you doing?" Secrets asks calmly. Her hood hides her eye.

"I need to go," I snap. Seeing her reminds me of the nightmare.

Secrets stands in my way a minute more, not speaking a word. Finally she says, "the secrets have gotten to your head. Dreams-"

"All dreams are like nightmares. Illusions!" I scream, making her jump. Without another word I barge past her and step outside. Right when I'm about to soar off into the sky, I'm delayed once again.

"Dream, what are you doing?" Hope shouts.

"I can't stay here," I mumble, and then I leave, and I ignore her calls after me. I fly over the familiar treetops, away from the home I've come to know and love.

I know what I need to do, but they can't understand.