Dream Weaver ✓

Chapter 25

Olivia's eyes opened to a hazy, surreal world. It was as if she was floating in a misty abyss, separated from her human life by a fragile veil. She longed to reach out to her friends and reassure them she was okay, but she knew it was impossible. The barrier between the dream realm and the physical world was too strong.

The memory of the battle with The Drainer still lingered in her mind, and she felt a sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that she had sacrificed herself to protect her friends. She had always had a premonition of her fate, a feeling that grew stronger every day until the coin confirmed her suspicion.

As she looked around, she noticed that the world was not devoid of life. Strange creatures floated by, their iridescent wings shimmering in the ambient light. This dream realm was unlike anything she had ever seen, and despite her longing for her human life, she couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe at her surroundings.

Olivia's eyes darted around, taking in the familiar surroundings of Emily's living room. The soft glow of the lamp cast shadows on the walls, and the air was filled with the sound of hushed whispers. She longed to join in the conversation, to hear how her friends were coping without her.

Ignoring the surreal world around her, Olivia made a beeline for her favorite armchair. It was as if muscle memory had taken over, and she sank into the familiar cushions with a contented sigh. As she looked up, she saw her friends gathered around a picture of her, their faces etched with concern and sadness.

Without making a sound, Olivia watched as they discussed her absence. Louis's eyes were red and puffy, and Emily was biting her lip, trying to hold back tears. Sean was trying to be strong, but she could see the sadness in his eyes. Despite the pain, she couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and love emanating from the group. Olivia smiled to herself, knowing that her friends would always be there for her. Even in death, she was not alone.

"I love you," as the words tumbled from her lips, Olivia felt a surge of emotion rise within her. "And I'd do it all over again to protect you."

"They know," came the response, and Olivia's heart skipped a beat. She turned to see a woman in a flowing white dress standing beside her, radiating warmth and kindness.

Olivia's eyes widened in surprise as the woman spoke again. "They love you too," she said, and Olivia felt a sense of comfort wash over her.

Confused and curious, Olivia furrowed her brow and asked, "Who are you?"

The woman crouched down beside her, placing a gentle hand on Olivia's knee. "I'm the guardian of heaven," she said with a smile. "And I'm here to thank you for protecting the dream realm from The Drainer."

Olivia's voice trembled as she spoke, the weight of her sacrifice still heavy on her heart. "It's a pleasure," she said, her eyes fixed on the woman before her. "I'd die all over again."

The woman nodded, her expression grave. "I'm here to take you," she said, her hand outstretched. "You can't stay here forever. This dream realm is for the living."

Olivia's eyes darted to her friends, still gathered around the photo of her. "Can I still see them if I stay here?"

The woman shook her head. "For a while," she explained, "but you'll go insane if you keep meeting them. Everyone needs to say goodbye once."

Olivia's heart sank as she realized the truth in the woman's words. She had never said goodbye to her friends properly, to tell them how much they meant to her. "I didn't," she muttered, tears welling in her eyes. "I just died."

The woman placed a comforting hand on Olivia's shoulder, her voice was soft and gentle. "You have a chance now."

The woman's nod was all it took for Olivia to understand the gravity of the situation. Rising to her feet, she made her way over to the photo where her friends stood, lost in their memories of her. With a gentle touch on Emily's shoulder, Olivia let her presence be known, and the group turned to face her. She repeated the action with Louis and Sean, each of them looking at the photograph with tears in their eyes.

But Olivia was smiling, feeling the breeze from the open window on her face as a symbol of her continued presence. She wanted them to know that even though she was gone; she was still with them in spirit. As they stood together, lost in their thoughts and memories, Olivia felt a sense of peace wash over her. She had finally said goodbye, to let her friends know how much she loved them, and to give them the closure they needed to move on.

Olivia's fingers intertwined with the woman's, her curiosity piqued. "Tell me," she said, her eyes bright with wonder. "Is there a bar up there where you've got a favorite chair?"

The woman's smile was warm and knowing. "You'll know when you get there," she said, her voice carrying a hint of mystery.

Olivia's heart was heavy as she walked away from the realm of dreams, her hand still clasped in the guardian's. With each step she took, she felt the ties that bound her to her old life grow weaker, and she knew she was leaving a part of herself behind.

But as she glanced over her shoulder, she caught sight of Emily, standing tall and proud, a beacon of hope amid her sorrow. A smile tugged at the corners of Olivia's lips, and she felt a sense of gratitude wash over her.

This was where her story had begun, where she had discovered the power of her dreams and the strength of her heart. She was no longer the same person she had been when she first entered this world, but she was proud of the person she had become.

As she looked down at her hand, she saw the glittering ring of her grandfather, a symbol of love. And as she stepped forward into the unknown, she knew she carried that love with her, a beacon of hope in a world filled with uncertainty. With a sense of peace settling over her, Olivia took a deep breath and followed the guardian of heaven into the unknown.

But first Olivia took a deep breath and paused for a moment before slipping the ring off her finger. It felt heavy in her hand, a tangible reminder of the life she was leaving behind. With a heavy heart, she made her way to Emily's room, her feet silent on the polished floorboards. As she approached the nightstand, Olivia could feel her pulse quickening. This was it, the final act in her journey through the dream realm. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, before placing the ring on the smooth surface of the wood.

For a moment, she stood there, her hand resting on the cool metal of the nightstand. She felt a sense of closure wash over her, the final pieces of her old life falling into place. With a smile on her lips, Olivia turned and made her way back to the guardian of heaven.

THE END