Silent

54. Time to wake up

Michael startled awake. The window of the room was left ajar, and the white curtains fluttered softly in the breeze that got in. A man sat by his bed and looked at him with a gentle smile.

"Jack?" Michael asked, hardly able to believe his own eyes.

"It's been a long time, Micha, hasn't it?" Jack grinned. He had matured as people tend to do and healthily gained weight.

Michael felt tears rising in his eyes. "I've missed you... so much," he gasped brokenly.

"I missed you too," Jack assured. The light from the window seemed to surround him like a halo, casting an angelic glow around him.

"I read in the newspaper that they have been arrested for what they did. I knew it was you and I came as soon as I could. I'm sorry, Micha... He swore to me he was good!" Jack reached for his hand and looked sadly into his eyes.

"You couldn't have known," Michael whispered.

"They will pay for everything now just as they should and I can't wait to witness their ruin!"

"And we will finally be free, truly." Michael smiled, still holding Jack's hand in his, reluctant to let go now that he was there. "Where have you been?"

"In different places... lived a new life, and got rid of drugs! You have always been on my mind."

"You will not leave me again, will you, Jack?" Michael pleaded, squeezing his hand almost desperately.

"I'll always be with you," Jack swore. "Always."

"When I get out of the hospital, we can go to Disney World."

"And buy the whole place with the money they have to pay us!" Jack laughed.

"Let's do that." Michael smiled and closed his eyes. "You can be Goofy..."

"Sleep now, Micha... You need sleep."

When Michael next awoke, he saw Sam sitting where Jack had been earlier.

Sam looked up from his book when he heard Michael stir and smiled softly. "Good morning."

"Good morning?" Michael repeated drowsily. "I thought it was evening."

Sam set the book down on the table. "You've been sleeping for quite a while," he said. "But it's good. Your body needs rest."

"Jack was here," Michael said.

"Really?" Sam asked, raising his brow, looking confused.

"Didn't you see him?"

"I didn't," Sam admitted hesitantly. Michael frowned and looked at the window that was closed. A lump rose in his throat, It had felt so real.

"He wasn't here," Michael spoke out his understanding. "It was a dream." His voice broke and tears welled up in his eyes. "It felt so real."

Sam leaned forward and gently took his hand. "He's in your thoughts. It's only natural," he whispered. He hated to see the agony Michael felt reflecting through his eyes.

"I need him," Michael whispered. Only Jack could fully understand what he was going through, and it hurt him to know that he had only dreamed of his presence. Maybe he was going mad with these delusions that felt so real.

Sam comforted him the best he could, but at that moment, nothing seemed enough.

"Perhaps I could try to find Jack for you?" Sam wondered out loud, wanting to do anything he could to make Michael feel better. Of course, he hoped that his presence could be enough, but at the same time, he understood that maybe Jack could indeed support him in the way he couldn't, as someone who knew what that abuse was truly like.