When Phil Left

THE FEATHERS (part 7)

-Phil's point of view-

Im underwater, blue flames starting to circle around me, appearing to be little orbs of energy floating through the water. They're all collecting around me, and I reach out to touch one. It wraps itself around my finger, travelling up my arm. One attaches itself to my foot, climbing up my leg. More of the flame orbs surround me, eventually engulfing me in a ball of flames. I shoot up, out of the water, not knowing what else to do. A feather drops off my wing, a small blue trail following it. I try to catch the feather, but it keeps getting further from me. Before I know it, I'm chasing the feather through town. The sky is getting dark, but I can see the little illuminated trail. I notice that people are gawking at my wings, but I keep following the flame trail. I've been chasing this thing for a while, and I almost give up as it turns into an unfamiliar alley, stopping dead in front of me. 

-Dan's point of view-

There's a feather laying on the counter. It just seems to be laying there. It's bright blue, with a few streaks of black. I can't be sure if I'm hallucinating, so I leave it be. I start making pancake batter, then hear my phone ringing. It's still smashed into smithereens, so I can't answer it. I take the phone and put it in my pocket, starting to cook the pancakes. The recipe made four pancakes, but I'm only having two. Phil would've had the other two. I sigh and sit at the table, taking small bites of the pancake, staring at the feather.
The feather starts trembling lightly, then picks itself off the counter, bringing itself over in front of me.  I shriek and push myself back, falling over, out of my chair. It follows me, and I back up, pushing myself up against a wall, the feather circling itself around me. It stops in front of my face, a blue trail starting to follow it. The feather shoots out of the door, and I run after it, following the blue trail behind it. The feather leads me to an alley; there's not much here, from what I can tell, and there's nothing too interesting. I turn around, and there's what looks like blue flames swirling around a person. It highlights their face beautifully, and then I notice. The pair of wings. I consider running past the creature, to get back to the road and call for help, or just someone as a witness. But there's no way out. Just a brick wall behind me. I back myself up against it as the silhouetted figure moves towards me, it's piercing blue eyes staring at me.

-Phil's POV-

I follow the feather, as blue flames lick up my arms and legs, wrapping themselves around my torso, covering my face. It doesn't hurt. The flames create a tingling sensation along my skin, almost tickling me. The feather is still floating in front of me.  There's another feather, in front of a man. I step forward, and he steps back. I can't really see him, as it's gotten dark since I started chasing the feather. The blue flames grow around me, creeping up the walls of the buildings. I get closer to the man cowering at the end of the alley, leaning forward slightly.

"Dan?.. I- is that you?"

My voice is husky, and almost unrecognisable. But he perks up at the mention of his name. He stands, examining my face. He puts his hand on my cheek, gently, and I put my hand over his, tears welling in my eyes.

He lunged forward, almost knocking me over with a hug. I hug him tight, wrapping my arms around his waist. It's the best feeling in the world. I pull away from the hug, staring into Dan's eyes.

"I love you, Dan"

He doesn't look shocked, he just smiles and calmly replies, "I know. And I love you more."

Next thing I know, his lips are on mine, and I smile softly before returning the kiss. I can feel myself disintegrating. The flames engulf me and all I can see is black. I'm fading away from existence. I am no longer existing. I am gone. I quietly whisper, "good bye, Dan, and know that I'll always love you," before disappearing into the flames.

-Dan's POV-

The smell of Phil still lingers in the air. The taste of his lips, still lingering on mine. The flames engulf him, and then he's gone, just a single, blue feather, left floating in the alley. I pick it up, walking back home, my hands shoved in my pockets, slumped down. I arrive to the empty house and place the feather above the fireplace, inside a small treasure chest. I lock it and head up to the empty bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed, tears streaming down my face.

"I'll love you forever and always, Phil, forever and always."