Running the Line of Death

Chapter 5

First block, after homeroom, Ashton was in Biology class with Mr. Wiktor. He was in the same seat "location" as homeroom; the far left seat in the back corner, and Lucifer was sitting to the right of him. Mr. Wiktor was standing at the whiteboard writing something. Ashton couldn't make out what he was writing; he might have been able to if he was actually paying attention. He was too busy focusing on the pertinent question bolting through his already throbbing head. Everything Ashton was told; the information was too much for him, but he needed the question answered. Ashton turned to Lucifer who was staring off into blank space.

"Lucifer...", Ashton was tentative to ask.

Lucifer struggled to tear his gaze from what he had been truly staring at to pull his focus onto Ashton.

"Yeah, Ashton?"

Ashton paused; he was unsure if he wanted to ask the question. What if it was all in Ashton's head. What if this was all just a wildly, vivid dream. If this was, Ashton needed to wake up. The joke was over, it wasn't funny anymore; but he wasn't sleeping. Lucifer noticed the sense of doubtfulness and angst hiding in Ashton's bright blue eyes; the look of worry lying across Ashton's smooth, round face, his perfect skin flushed white.

"Could I ask you a question?" Ashton's voice held a small tremor.

Lucifer snapped back to reality, it was like he had been caught in a trance of tranquility peering at Ashton's admirable face. He needed to refocus, he just met Ashton. Lucifer shook his head and focused back on him.

"Yeah, of course."

"I was gonna ask you earlier, but we were interrupted.", Ashton stalled asking the question.

"Well you can still ask me anything."

Ashton wavered for just a moment before asking the question he so yearned an answer for.

"Lucifer", he paused, "The place you described, wonderland; and the meadow in the centre of the woods, with all the beautiful trees and flowers. Where the moonlit grass and twinkling fireflies look stunning against the night sky. I‒ I think I've been there before. Last night I‒ I..."

Ashton began stuttering from anxiety, and was reluctant to continue talking. Lucifer rubbed his arm subtly in attempts to comfort Ashton and coax him into telling Lucifer the rest of his thought. Ashton took a moment to take a few deep breaths, calming his fear and uneasiness, before speaking again. Lucifer leered into Ashton's frightened eyes, and Ashton gazed back longingly. Something about Lucifer's warming smile and stunning eyes was comforting to Ashton. He couldn't look away, and he didn't. Ashton stared into Lucifer's eyes while telling him his every thought.

"Go ahead.", Lucifer coaxed Ashton once more, who seemed to be mute.

Ashton took a final breath. "Last night I dreamt of woods; walking through them, following this girl. I couldn't see her face, she was turned the other way walking forward. I didn't know where she was going, so I just followed. After a few minutes we reached a meadow; it was nighttime and it looked just like you described it. Was that where I actually was? Was I in Wonderland?"

Lucifer was silent; he was unsure on how to respond. Thoughts began to race through his mind: "Was the girl Ashton dreamt about, her? Was he actually in Wonderland? He couldn't have, I mean he could, but with her? No, it's impossible, it's too soon."

Ashton sat there, still curious; but with a lot of anxiety from fear he slipped up.

"I'm sorry Lucifer, I shouldn't have asked.", Ashton stared downward from shame and Lucifer placed his hand softly on Ashton's leg. He smiled looking into Ashton's eyes, past the soft black hair that fell to Ashton's chin, and spoke in a caring tone.