Just a dream?

Chapter 8: The Price of Connection

June's obsession with her dreams had started to take a toll on her waking life. She found herself drifting off during conversations with her friends, her mind constantly preoccupied with the mysteries that unfolded each night when she closed her eyes.

June blinked, realizing she had been staring out the window, lost in her thoughts. "I'm sorry, Lily. I've just been... preoccupied, I guess." She offered a weak smile, not wanting to burden her friend with the weight of her experiences.

"What's going on?" Lily's voice was gentle, her eyes filled with empathy. "You don't seem like the June I know. Talk it out!"

Sighing, June hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I've discovered that the man who appears in my dreams, Kellin, is somehow connected to me in a deeper way. He claims to be from a parallel universe, and that we're... lovers, there."

Lily's eyes widened in surprise. "Parallel universes? Lovers?" She shook her head, a small frown creasing her brow. "June, that sounds... well, it sounds a bit far-fetched, doesn't it?"

"I know, I know," June said, running a hand through her red hair. "But the more I've researched and the more I've experienced in these dreams, the more I believe there's some truth to it. Kellin has been guiding me, sharing his knowledge, and together, we're trying to find a way for us to be together in the same reality."

Lily studied her friend's face, concern etched in her features. "That sounds incredibly complicated, June. Are you sure you're not just... losing touch with reality? I mean, parallel universes and cosmic connections? It's a lot to wrap your head around."

June felt a twinge of frustration, but she understood Lily's skepticism. "I know it sounds crazy, but I've never felt more certain about anything in my life. There's something undeniable about the connection I share with Kellin. I can't just ignore it."

"Okay, okay," Lily said, raising her hands in a placating gesture. "I trust that you're being honest with me. But please, promise me you'll not be lost in all of this."

"But I have to see this through" June replied. For both Kellin and myself." This statement made Lily concerned for June but didn't say anything.

As the two friends continued their conversation, June's mind drifted back to her most recent dream encounter with Kellin. They had discovered a potential way for them to bridge the gap between their worlds, but the cost was high. Kellin had revealed that the ritual they would need to perform could be risky, potentially altering the very fabric of their realities.

That night, as June lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, she couldn't shake the weight of the decision that loomed before her. Kellin had been adamant that this was their best chance at being together, but June couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. What if the consequences were too great? What if the price of their connection was more than she was willing to pay?

In her dreams, Kellin appeared to her once more, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and trepidation. "June, my love, the time has come. We must make our move, or risk losing the chance forever."

June reached out, her fingers brushing against his ethereal form. "Kellin, I... I'm afraid. What if something goes wrong? What if the cost is more than either of us can bear?"

Kellin's expression softened, and he grasped her hand, his touch sending a shiver through her. "I understand your fear, June. But I believe that our love is strong enough to overcome any obstacle. We have come too far to turn back now."

June's heart raced as she considered the gravity of their situation. "But Kellin, what if the price is too high? What if I lose... everything?"

Kellin's gaze was unwavering. "Then we must be willing to pay it, for the chance to be together. I cannot force you, my love, but I implore you – let us take this final step, and see where it leads us."

June fell silent, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. Kellin waited patiently, his presence a calming anchor in the turbulent sea of her thoughts.

Finally, June spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Alright, Kellin. I'll do it. Let's take the leap, and see where it leads us."

Kellin's face lit up with a radiant smile, and he pulled June into a warm embrace. "My darling June, I promise you, no matter the cost, we will find a way to be together. Trust in me, and in the power of our connection."

As the dream faded, June woke with a sense of determination and trepidation. She knew the path ahead would be fraught with uncertainty, but the pull of her bond with Kellin was undeniable. Steeling herself, she began to prepare for the ritual that could change the course of her life forever.

The days that followed were a blur of research, meditation, and quiet contemplation. June pored over the ancient texts and symbols Kellin had shared with her, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns as she tried to fully understand the magnitude of what they were about to attempt.

Her friends, Jeshu in particular, continued to express their concerns. "June, please, think this through. What if something goes wrong? What if you lose yourself in all of this?"

June listened patiently, understanding their fears, but her resolve remained unwavering. "I know you're worried, Jeshu. But this is my decision to make. Kellin and I have a connection that transcends the boundaries of our realities. I have to at least try to be with him, no matter the cost."

Jeshu sighed, her eyes filled with a mixture of love and worry. "Just... promise me you'll be careful, okay? I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."

June nodded. "I promise, Jeshu. I'll be careful. But I have to do this. 

As the day of the ritual approached, June felt a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. She knew that the choice she was about to make would have far-reaching consequences, but the pull of her connection with Kellin was too strong to ignore. Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself, both physically and mentally, for the journey that lay ahead.