Drifting Off

Small, in the vast indifference of the Universe.

It was just me, Oscar and Abigail. 3 days we went with little to no words between us, too busy running from the police that were after us. It was only once we got to town, that we started talking about it. I said we shouldn't leave Tina and Zack, and I stand by that. I voted to break them out. Oscar was reluctant, which I understand, but agreed as long as we had a concrete plan. Abigail however, always being the reluctant one in our group, refused. It wasn't because she was scared of being caught or unable to get them out as we thought. "I don't know them like you do. They're your friends, so they're your problem." And that's when oscar's fist came around the side of her jaw. Suddenly they were both yelling, oscar about how she was being selfish, how she should at least consider it, that Zack and Tina would do the same for her, and Abigail shouting back again, how it wasn't her issue.

And now you see, back at Typhonian's, Oscar had a sister he had to leave behind. Which is why when Abigail shifted into looking like his sister, Oscar broke down. I put an arm around him and steered him away, Abigail behind us, jeering at him. I sat him down, away from her, knelt in front of him and comforted him for a few moments. Then I walked over to Abigail. "You can stay if you want, on the condition that you never do that utter shit again," I said, "Or you can walk away now. You don't have to come with me to get them out, but your help would be nice. And again, do that horrible shit to Oscar, or anyone again, then I'll happily leave you to the cops. Deal?" I extended my hand to the floor. She took it and I pulled her up. "I'm not helping get your friends back, but, good luck."

We sat together, huddled around a fire, talking about how to get them out. We talked for hours, finally reaching a plan we were happy with. Then together, we all drifted off. The closest we had ever been, both physically and emotionally. It was nice, to have

the warm cup of cocoa in his hands, carrying it down to the redhead sat on the decking outside. He would only give it to her after she gave him a kiss, which she did. He slipped his arms around her waist, sitting behind her, watching the stars, the flickering lights of the sky, the reminder of how beautiful the world was. She tipped her head back, him looking into her eyes once again, getting lost in the

thick green of the woods, tripping and falling over the root of a tree, the people still behind them. The sound of gunshots, the sizzle and stench of magic. Pushing himself up, he knew he had to get to her. They had her, and he had to get her back, and never wanting to let go, just wanting to tell her how much he needed her, how much he needed to tell her

"I'm sorry," she said, as she hung over the edge, grasping on the one solid connection she had to the living world. The sweat between the grip of him holding her from falling was increasing. He tried to pull her up. She mouthed the words with a tear-stricken face, yet a loving smile on her face. "I love you". She kicked off the wall, dislodging her from his grasp, and falling. Him, trying to jump after her, arms holding him back, him pulling forward, screaming, roaring in agony, swearing and

Jolting awake, wishing to be back at those days, sandwiched, safe in the arms of his friends. But never again, would he feel the protection he craved.