Time Limit

Chapter 9: As Soon As It Came

Just as I felt myself completely disappearing, there was a bright light.

I opened my eyes slowly, covering my eyes with my hands.

I peered into the light. I couldn't see anyone.

Suddenly, it dimmed and I was able to see my mom.

Tears dripped out of the corner of my eyes as I saw Dad standing next to her.

"Dad! Mom!" I called out, happily.

Without a second thought, I stepped towards their light.

The bright light disappeared as I embraced them.

"Marie! Where were you? I was wondering what you wanted for dinner." Mom smiled warmly at me.

"Can we go to Grandpa Lawrence's?" I asked.

They looked at each other and nodded. "Sure, sweetie! Go get ready!"

I laughed and bounded up the stairs.

I opened my door to my yellow room and sighed. I walked over to my mirror and couldn't help but revel at how nicely I grew up.

I traded my old orange dress for jeans, a purple blouse, and a white scarf. I clipped a yellow flower into my bangs and then headed downstairs.

When we got to Grandpa's, I opened the door to find Grandpa and Grandma watching tv.

"Grandpa Lawrence!" I exclaimed, hugging him.
"Marie! You're back!" He laughed.
"Oh, dear, don't be silly! She was here yesterday!" Grandma smiled.
"Oh, Marie, by the way! Your uncles will be here, too!" Dad said.

Just as he said that, the doorbell rang and Uncle Ferb, Baljeet, Buford, and their wives rushed in.

"Yo, dinnerbell! Where's the food?" Uncle Buford said and Dad rolled his eyes.

"We need to wait for Thomas, Buford." Dad explained.

The door opened and I giggled in anticipation as I waited for my best friend to walk through the door.

Instead, a man around Dad's she walked in.

Oddly, he had a squarish nose like Uncle Ferb and smooth, chocolate brown hair like Aunt Vanessa.

"Hey, Uncle Ferb? Who's that?" I asked.

He looked at me, confused, and then pointed at Dad who walked over to the man.

"Thomas! Haven't seen you in a while! You usually don't like to come over!" Dad laughed as he hugged the man.

My heart dropped and a cold shiver rippled through me.

"Yea, well..." The man smiled softly.

His eyes wandered over to me and his smile disappeared.

Dad followed his eyes and smiled.

"Oh! This is my daughter, Marie! I don't think you've ever formally met!" Dad introduced me.

I smiled shakily as Thomas held out his hand to me.

"Nice to see you, Marie." He grinned.
"Thomas..." I whispered, confused and sad.

Just as I was about to question Thomas about...well, everything, Dad interrupted and exclaimed, "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's eat!"

He started belting out a song about food and everyone immediately joined. I had this strong urge to start singing along too for no reason but suddenly, Thomas grabbed me and pulled me outside.

"Thomas-"

I couldn't breathe as his arms wrapped around me. I felt water soaking into my shirt as he hugged me. His grip was tight like he was holding on for dear life  and he was shaking as if we were freezing on the Alps.

"Marie....I thought I'd never see you again..." He whispered.
"Thomas, what happened? Why are you...you know, old?" I asked, afraid to move.

He gripped my shoulders and pushed me slightly away from him.

"Marie, listen to me. I don't know where you are but this is a dream. After your big reveal to our parents, you started disappearing and then a bright light appeared and you were gone. We can't locate you but luckily, our Dads made a machine where I can contact you through a dream. Apparently, this is your dream per say my appearance. You need to wake up!"

I stared at him and heard everything. But I didn't want to believe it.

"No!" I pushed him away from me.

I felt guilty when he fell back on a deck chair and stared at me in shock but I turned away. My breathing had gotten heavier and I tried to forget what he had just told me.

"E-Even if it's all a dream, it's what I wanted! It's what we went back for! It's what I suffered for! Don't you see, Thomas?! T-There's nothing for me there!"

Everything I was yelling was shocking me. I didn't want to yell at him. I wanted to hold him tight and cry. I really, really wanted to cry.

But then I caught a glimpse of Mom and Dad laughing and singing with the rest of our family.

"I-I can't..." I breathed.

Thomas got up and limped towards me, "Marie, I know it's hard but you have to come back with me."

With another harsh push, he was back on the ground, biting his lip from pain.

"I can't! Didn't you just hear me?!"
His eyes flared and he jumped up, "Marie, you're dying!"

I covered my ears, "Shut up! Shut up!"

"We're both dying! If you don't come back with me, we'll both die!" He continued shouting.

"No!"

I shrieked as a loud blast surrounded me. My eyes were shut tight and I curled up.

Suddenly, it was gone just as quick as it had come.

I blinked away the tears as the ringing stop and my mind was cleared.

I opened my eyes and immediately felt the urge to desperately cry.

It looked like a wasteland around me. Black ashes everywhere.

I collapsed to the ground and let my body sprawl around me, meaninglessly. My tears were freely falling now. There was nothing stopping them. I didn't have the will to stop.

"Now I have no one..."

As you can tell from my writing, I haven't been writing in a loooong time. But from high demand, I'm gonna try and continue this and see if my urge to write will come back