Upon A Dream (Sequel to A Beauty and the Tragedy)

Chapter Twenty: Pieces to the Puzzle

Hey guys! So this week is gonna be crazy so I thought I'd go ahead and update before I dive into school work. This one is a little long! Enjoy!

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"And now you're gone. And nothing makes this seem more wrong. The memory of your face keeps draggin' me along. When I feel lost I know that I have paid the cost. And now I'll find my way." Asking Too Much by All That Remains  

Chris

"Take as long as you need, we'll be in the car." Ash said as we pulled into the cemetery parking lot. I got out and took a deep breath. 

Flowers in hand, I started into the grass. The cold bit through my jacket and gloves but I kept walking. I had to check on her. As I neared the headstone, my breath caught in my throat and I had to blink furiously to fight back tears. 

I stopped at the concrete stone and stared. Her picture (a cropped version of the one where I had kissed her cheek) smiled warmly against the cold. Penelope had said that she left a wreath. A small thing with a red bow on it. I swallowed hard and sat down crossing my legs. 

"Hey Irina." I said softly glancing behind me. "I brought you some irises. Had to special order them cuz it's so damn cold out here...but I guess you already know that." I added quietly. I cleared my throat. 

"Everything is going great for me. Uh, Ryan and I are writing as much as we can. The guys and I are working on our next album. I-I wrote a song for you." I pulled out the piece of paper from my pocket and placed it on the headstone beneath the brass vase that held some fake daisies. 

Lance no doubt. 

"It's been really hard...I just can't believe you're gone." "I mean I see you everywhere. In the store windows, and the recording studio...in the flowers." I dropped my eyes to the irises. I fumbled with the bracelet around my wrist and remembered that night, how happy she was. 

"I feel you too sometimes." Tears fought to overflow my eyes. "Ash has been taking care of me. Helping me. So has Lizzy. She's gotten...better." I coughed against the cold. 

"Wherever you are...just send me a sign. Anything to let me know I'm not crazy." I stood up just as a snow flurry had started the wind whipped my hair as something landed at my feet. 

It was a business card for a hardware store...the one that Lance worked at. I picked it up and jumped as a screech sounded from in front of me. My eyes met a sleek black crow, resting on the headstone. It watched me for a moment before taking off into the cold gray sky. 

"See you in my dreams."

Irina

I awoke to the sound of struggling. The door came open and Will appeared a tray in his hands. He smiled when he saw me, a gentle smile I hadn't seen in a long time. 

"How'd you sleep?" he asked as he set down the tray. I pushed myself to sit up as he flipped on a light and pulled open the curtains. It was dreary and cold outside. I could feel the chill as it radiated from the glass to my covered feet. 

"F-Fine." I said softly. He pushed the tray into my lap. "Eat, you'll need it." he said softly. I stared at the food for a moment. It was oatmeal, a piece of toast, and what I assumed was orange juice. 

"Come on, it's not poisoned." he said, sitting down next to me on the bed. I took the spoon and slowly placed the watery concoction into my mouth. "Good. Soon you'll be strong enough to walk and we can start to make you better." I eyed the toast curiously as he watched my every move.