The Changed Ones

Nineteen

Jackie opened her eyes, finding herself in the same meadowy field that she found herself in last time the first night after Sean had died. She looked ahead of her, Sean was right in front of her, smiling at her. She smiled back. She was so glad to see that this wasn't a nightmare. She went over and hugged him tightly, tears strolling down her face.

"What's wrong?" Sean asked.
"Last time I saw you, I had a nightmare..." Jackie explained. "And you blamed me for everything."
"I'm so sorry." Sean said. "I promise, I won't ever let that happen again."
"What do you mean?" Jackie asked. "You did that?"
"It wasn't something I could control, I'm being honest." Sean explained. "I'll try my hardest to keep one from happening again, I promise. And if I still can't do anything, just know that it's not me talking."

She nodded.

Jackie then looked down, almost getting emotional.

"What's wrong?" Sean asked.
"F-Felix..." Jackie began.
"I know..." Sean interrupted.
"How do you know?" Jackie asked.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of Jackie, behind Sean. She looked over and gasped as she saw who it was. It was Felix.

"Felix!" Jackie smiled, running over and hugging her tightly.
"I saw him appear in front of me as I was waiting for you to fall asleep again so I could see you." Sean explained. "He told me everything from there."
"At least now you have some company." Jackie smiled.
"Not the company I wanted, but I'll take it." Sean joked.
"Hey, shut up, man!" Felix chuckled.

He then looked at Jackie.

"How's Marzia?" Felix asked.
"She's really upset... But if she can visit you in dreams like I can with Sean, then maybe she'll feel a bit better." Jackie explained.
"She should be able to." Sean said.
"I've been trying to get through to her, but she hasn't fallen asleep yet, I guess..." Felix continued.
"Maybe she can't fall asleep." Jackie claimed.
---
Jackie suddenly opened her eyes, she could hear water dripping on the tent as it was raining outside. She took a flashlight out from under her bed and she flashed it on the ground, to guide her way over to the bed where Marzia was laying at.

Marzia was looking out the window, but then became startled as she saw Jackie with the flashlight.

"What're you doing?" Marzia asked, whispering.
"I'm here to support you, since you did that with me." Jackie responded.
"Well... I'm fine..." Marzia claimed.

Jackie then knelt down next to her.

"I know you can't sleep, Marzia..." Jackie began. "I had the same feeling too after Sean died."

Marzia then began getting emotional.

"I just wish this didn't have to happen to him..." She choked.
"I know, we all do..." Jackie agreed, letting her head down.

Jackie was hesitant at first, but then she began to talk about Felix in her dream.

"Listen, what I'm about to say to you may sound crazy, just bare with me okay?" Jackie asked.
"Nothing is as crazy as this zombie thing going around." Marzia said.

Jackie sighed, then started explaining.

"Ever since Sean died, I've been having dreams with him in this heaven type world. I could literally touch him and communicate with him as if he were alive in the real world." Jackie explained. "I just recently had a dream, where Felix came in, and told me himself that he wanted to see you."
"How?" Marzia asked. "I might not have the ability."
"They both said that you might." Jackie said. "So maybe if you try, you'll be able to see him."

Marzia looked out the window, then looked back at Jackie and nodded. Jackie gave her a quick hug before heading back to her bed.

Marzia then took a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to concentrate on dreaming.
---
Marzia opened her eyes, finding herself in the same heavenly world that Jackie had described. She looked around, trying to find any sign of Felix. Just as she was about to give up hope, she heard a voice.

"You're here!" A voice shouted from behind.

Marzia turned around, her smile brightening as she saw Felix smiling back at her. She then ran over and hugged him tightly. She could feel him hug her back as if he were real. She then began getting emotional.

"Don't cry! It's okay!" Felix assured her.
"I just wish this didn't have to happen." Marzia said.
"I know... But you'll be able to dream about me every night!" Felix said. "I'll be here waiting for you."
"I almost don't want to wake up now..." Marzia said.
"But I want you to continue living on..." Felix explained. "I want to see you continue to grow up, get married and have kids."
"Why would you want to watch me get married to somebody else?" Marzia asked. "Wouldn't that make you jealous or feel awkward?"
"No..." Felix said. "Because as long as you're happy, I am too."

Marzia smiled as they both held hands and walked down the heavenly meadow. They eventually met up with Sean and Jackie.

"Jackie!" Marzia smiled. "You're here too?"
"Yeah, as long as we're asleep!" Jackie said.

Marzia then ran over and hugged Sean tightly. He then looked at her.

"Thank you for taking care of her..." Sean said.
"Not a problem at all..." Marzia smiled.

Just then, they were approached by two other figures. Their eyes widened as they saw who they both were.

It was Wade and Selena.

They all immediately went in and hugged both of them.

"What are we all doing here?" Wade asked. "Are you guys all dead?"
"Just two of us..." Sean said, pointing to himself and Felix.
"How did you guys die?" Selena asked.
"Long story..." Felix explained.
"But why are Jackie and Marzia here?" Wade asked.
"They can visit us when they're dreaming." Sean explained.
"Is that a problem?" Jackie asked sarcastically.
"No... Not at all!" Wade said. "I wish the others could see us."
"Well, hopefully they'll believe our dreams that were having when we tell them." Marzia said.

Just then, there was a moment of silence.

"It's daytime..." Felix mumbled.
"How do you know?" Marzia asked.
"I'm not sure... But we can somehow just tell..." Felix explained.

He then turned over to Marzia and held her tightly.

"I'll see you soon... I promise." Felix explained.

Marzia only nodded.
---
Marzia opened her eyes, seeing the cloudy and foggy skies from her window. She then sat up, looking over at Jackie. Jackie also looked at her, and they both smiled at each other. Knowing that they both will be able to see each other, their friends, and loved ones in their dreams from now on.