Crying: A Dystopian Novel

Bleeding: Chapter 2

++++ MICHAEL ++++

"So, you're good?" I ask.

"Yeah, I guess so. I'm awake."

"You don't even realize what that means, do you?" I barely get it out.

"Well, awake means not asleep," she laughs, "But that's not what you had in mind I guess."

"You've been asleep for three days. We all thought you were..." I bite my lip before continuing, "gone. Eleise was going nuts and said she'd never forgive herself for what she said if you died. I don't think anyone's slept since we got back."

"I did." She's trying to lighten the mood; I guess I had been a little grim.

"Yeah. That's why no one else did." I lean over and hug her. "Just promise me you'll be okay. I- I can't loose you." I'm trembling as I hold her.

"You won't. I promise." Her stomach growls as she says it, and I jump up.

"You must be starving. I think Mom fixed chili if you want some." She laughs, but then realizes I don't know why that's funny.

"Chili would be great."

"Stay here. I'll get it." I run out of the room and go to the kitchen.

"How is she?" Grace asks. She's been spending a lot of time over here with John. I get out a bowl and start fixing some chili.

"I'm not sure. She never really wants to let you focus on her."

"Oh. Are you okay?" By now, I'm finished with Anna's meal and turn to face Grace. She emphasizes the 'you', but I can't accept her concerns for me now.

"I'm fine. I just can't stop worrying about her." I haven't even thought about anything but Anna, including my head.

"Well, I hate to break it to you, but your face looks drained of life and sleep-deprived." I already knew that, but I don't care.

"Yeah, I know." I leave and take the chili back to Anna. She looks upset so I ask, "What's wrong?"

"I, um, just thinking." She says.

"About what? You looked upset."

"It's not important really." I frown, but change subjects.

"Anyway, here's your chili."

"Thanks."

"Seriously, what is it?" I ask, handing her the bowl.

"I had this dream, well, I think it was a dream, and I'm really confused about it." She stops to take a bite.

"What was the dream about?" I ask.

"I thought I was dead." I'm taken aback when she says this, but she continues. "I was lying down and Drew was there. He kept telling me that it's okay, that he's there. I ask him if I am dead, and he tells me that I'm lying on your bed. I told him I knew that, but is that real. I said it could easily be a dream, or I could be dead. It ended with him saying, 'You are on Michael's bed. That's real, but this, this is a dream.' Then I woke up and found Eleise staring at me."

I have no idea what to say, but I end up saying, "Then it was a dream."

"I don't know. I keep thinking that maybe I was dead, or in an in-between state where he could actually be with me."

"Knock, knock." Eleise and Laelynn stand in the doorway and I glance at my watch. It's almost 10 o'clock already.

"Come on in," I say. They walk in and sit down next to me. Anna finishes the chili and asks to sleep in her bed.